No Ronaldo, No Portugal Win Against Croatia

No Ronaldo, No Portugal Win

Portugal loses to Croatia 2-1 in their final Euro 2024 warm-up match, with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench. Player ratings show a struggling team with few standout performances.

Portugal played Croatia in their last friendly before Euro 2024, losing 2-1 without Cristiano Ronaldo on the field.

Coach Roberto Martinez made some surprising choices, including not using Ronaldo, which left Portugal lacking energy and cohesion.

Croatia took the lead early when Mateo Kovacic was fouled in the box, and Luka Modric scored the penalty. In the second half, Portugal equalized when substitutes Nelson Semedo and Diogo Jota combined for a quick goal.

However, Croatia soon regained the lead when Ante Budimir headed in a rebound after Diogo Costa’s initial save.

Throughout the match, Portugal had plenty of possession but failed to create meaningful chances. Diogo Costa was their standout player, making several crucial saves. On another day, Portugal might have faced a heavier defeat.

Player Ratings

Goalkeeper & Defence:

• Diogo Costa (7/10): Dived correctly for Modric’s penalty but couldn’t stop it. Made vital saves, unlucky with Budimir’s goal.
• Diogo Dalot (4/10): Frequently out of position. Replaced at half-time, poor overall.
• Ruben Dias (6/10): Consistent and reliable, although occasionally stretched by Croatia’s counter-attacks.
• Goncalo Inacio (5/10): Often moved forward aggressively, leaving gaps behind, requiring Dias to cover.
• Nuno Mendes (5/10): Struggled to advance due to tight marking, substituted at half-time.

Portugal’s performance highlighted their dependency on Ronaldo and defensive lapses. With Euro 2024 approaching, Martinez must address these issues for the team to succeed.

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