The Football Faithful
·18 novembre 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·18 novembre 2024
Portugal take on Croatia in the UEFA Nations League with progress to the quarter-finals already assured.
Roberto Martinez’s side wrapped up top spot in the group with a 5-1 thrashing of Poland on Friday, in a fixture that saw Cristiano Ronaldo score twice. The 39-year-old extended his record to 135 goals for the national team with Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto also on target in Porto.
Portugal remain unbeaten since exiting Euro 2024 to France on penalties and are aiming for a second Nations League title in 2024.
With nothing on the line for Portugal in Split, Martinez has allowed several big names to depart the camp early. Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes have all been allowed to return to their club sides and a rotated team will take to the pitch this evening.
Portugal have called up Fabio Silva and Geovany Quenda from the u-21 squad to boost their options, while there could be international debuts for Tomas Araujo and Tiago Djalo at centre-back.
The newly-included Silva aside, Martinez is without a recognised centre-forward in the absence of Ronaldo and the injured Diogo Jota and Goncalo Ramos.
Portugal predicted XI: R. Silva; Cancelo, Djalo, Araujo, Tavares; Vitinha, Neves; Otavio; Conceicao, Felix, Leao.
Croatia host Portugal in the UEFA Nations League on Monday 18th November 2024. Kick-off in Split is 19:45 BST.
In the UK, Croatia and Portugal will be available to watch and stream online live through Viaplay Youtube.