Croatia 1-1 Portugal (18 Nov 2024) Match Analysis

Josko Gvardiol scored his first international goal in two years to rescue a point for Croatia in their 1-1 Nations League A Group 1 draw with Portugal in Split on Monday as both teams progress to March’s quarter-finals.

Portugal had already secured top spot in the pool ahead of kickoff and left Cristiano Ronaldo out of their matchday squad. Croatia finish second with eight points from their six games.

The visitors took the lead thanks to a superb finish from Joao Felix, who expertly controlled Vitinha’s perfect pass into his path and slotted the ball low past Dominik Livakovic in the home goal.

Croatia came close to equalizing when Gvardiol smothered a header at Andrej Kramaric and the latter’s shot hit the post and away to safety.

Kristijan Jakic’s cross at the back post was perfect for Gvardiol to beat Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa from close range to equalise, his third international goal and first since the 2022 World Cup.

Livakovic produced a brilliant point-blank save to deny Nuno Mendes a winner, while at the other end Sa made a finger-stop as Ante Budimir looked set to score from six yards, the latter also hitting the post late on.