Croatia 1-1 Portugal: Player Ratings and Match Highlights

In a must-win match for Zlatko Dalic's Croatia, Josko Gvardiol's crucial goal canceled out Joao Felix's first-half opener for Portugal, securing a 1-1 draw in Split and a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
With their group stage already secured, Roberto Martinez fielded a Portugal team missing stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, and Diogo Costa. Despite the absences, Portugal pressed relentlessly, restricting Croatia’s Luka Modric and his teammates' space.
Portugal struck first just over half an hour in, with Joao Felix capping off a beautifully crafted goal assisted by Vitinha, who lofted a perfect ball over Croatia’s defense for Felix to finish expertly.
After a lengthy VAR review, the goal stood. Croatia nearly equalized when Andrej Kramaric hit the post, adding tension to the match.
In the second half, Croatia pushed harder, and their efforts were rewarded when Gvardiol headed home in the 62nd minute, though his celebration was cut short by an offside flag. Moments later, the Manchester City defender made no mistake, finally scoring the equalizer.

Match Highlight:


Croatia Player Ratings:
Dominik Livakovic – 6/10
Positioning was questionable for Felix's goal, but he redeemed himself with a spectacular save after the 70th minute.

Josko Gvardiol – 8.5/10
Solid in defense and pivotal in attack, eventually scoring the equalizer.

Duje Caleta-Car – 5/10
Struggled defensively, relying heavily on Gvardiol.

Josip Sutalo – 6/10
Brave in his defensive actions but often outmatched.

Ivan Perisic – 5/10
Took up good positions but lacked impact.

Mateo Kovacic – 6/10
Industrious in midfield but ultimately ineffective before being substituted due to injury.

Luka Modric – 7/10
Dictated play and had several key interceptions.

Borna Sosa – 7/10
Balanced defense and attack well but was substituted early.

Andrej Kramaric – 5/10
Showed flashes of brilliance but was largely ineffective.

Igor Matanovic – 4/10
Saw little of the ball and was more effective defensively.

Martin Baturina – 4/10
Struggled to influence the game with minimal touches.

Substitutes:
Mario Pasalic (45') – 5/10
Had mixed success in the final third, often dispossessed.

Kristijan Jakic (45') – 6/10
Assisted Gvardiol's goal, showing great determination.

Luka Sucic (58') – 6/10
Injected energy and bolstered all-around play.

Ante Budimir (63') – 4/10
Provided a target in attack but missed a crucial chance.

Nikola Moro (78') – 3/10
Had little time to make an impact.

Portugal Player Ratings:
Jose Sa – 6/10
Had a quiet first half, eventually beaten by Gvardiol's header.

Nelson Semedo – 6/10
Active on the right flank, rarely beaten.

Tomas Araujo – 7/10
Showed defensive reliability, a strong performance amid transfer interest.

Renato Viega – 8/10
Solid defensively, crucial in handling Croatia’s pressure.

Nuno Mendes – 7.5/10
Showed creativity but was underutilized. Assisted Leao.

Joao Neves – 8/10
Controlled midfield with poise, showcasing his talent.

Otavio – 7/10
Struggled initially but improved as the game progressed.

Vitinha – 9/10
Man of the Match for his creativity and assist for the first goal.

Joao Cancelo – 8/10
Key presence in attack and defense.

Joao Felix – 8.5/10
Scored the opener and was a consistent threat.

Rafael Leao – 6.5/10
Caused problems early but lacked finishing touch.

Substitutes:
Tiago Djalo (63') – 5/10
Filled in well for the injured Araujo.

Fabio Silva (71') – 3/10
Provided little impact on his senior debut.

Chico Conceicao (71') – 4/10
Had limited involvement.

Diogo Dalot (71') – 4/10
Balanced defense and attack.

Man of the Match: Vitinha (Portugal)
Vitinha was instrumental in Portugal's midfield, providing the assist for Felix's goal and controlling the game in Fernandes' absence. His ability to navigate tight spaces and deliver precise passes was crucial for Portugal's performance.