Portugal Run Riot Without Ronaldo
06 September, 2020
UEFA Nations League
Result: Portugal 4-1 Croatia
Date: 05 September 2020
Venue: Estádio Do Dragão
Portugal started the defence of their UEFA Nations League title on an absolute note after thrashing Croatia 4-1 on Saturday evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo had not been designed for the Selecao because of a toe infection he sustained during the week while Croatia were without Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, who were both given an escape from international duty.
Portugal were creating lots of chances in the first stages and Joao Felix came very near opening the scoring in the 23rd minute with a deflected shot that came off the most notable of the post.
The Vatreni shot-stopper Dominik Livakovic was excellent between the sticks, thwarting every good chance from the hosts, as two minutes later he saved Pepe's free header from close range and denied him again from the rebound.
Joao Cancelo finally broke the deadlock for Fernando Santos' charges with four minutes left of the first stanza after being offered space just outside the box to cushion a pleasant strike in to the top corner as the hosts visited the break leading by an odd goal.
Portugal were threatening to double their lead from the break and Diogo Jota eventually made it 2-0 right before the hour-mark after going right through on the left side of the box to slot a go between your legs of Livakovic.
Felix got his name on the scoresheet for the European champions with 20 minutes remaining after being given a whole lot of space on the edge of the box to fire a minimal shot under the body of Livakovic.
Croatia were able to bag a consolation goal in stoppage time, as Bruno Petkovic went clear within the box and dispatched a low strike into the back of the net.
However, Andre Silva got the fourth goal for the Selecao with a toe-poked effort at the trunk post within the last action of the match to round off an emphatic win that took them to the most notable of Group 3 in League Some time Croatia were left in the bottom and without points.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za