Croatia vs Portugal @ Euro 2016

Ricardo Quaresma grabbed a late winner as

Portugal beat Croatia 1-0 after extra time to

make the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 after an

insipid last 16 clash in Lens.

The first-half was devoid of much action of note

with the best chance falling to the head of

Pepe but he failed to re-adjust his body and

could only nod over the bar as both sides

struggled desperately in the attacking third.

Croatia, so impressive last time out against

Spain, had the lion’s share of possession but

were unable to prise a clear-cut opening from a

resolute Portugal defence. Luka Modric and Ivan

Rakitic suffered disappointing games as the

early tournament tips crashed out.

It was much the same for the second-half but

the best chance fell to another defender just

after the hour mark. However, Domagoj Vida

could only glance Darijo Srna’s cross wide of

the post, and the game went to extra-time.

With neither side able to assert any authority, it

looked as though the game would go to

penalties but with 117 minutes on the clock

Quaresma followed up Cristiano Ronaldo ’s saved

effort to slot home and secure their spot in the

next round, where they will face Poland.

TALKING POINT - Are Portugal Euro

2016’s Greece?

This year’s European Championships are the

most open since 2004, when Greece pulled off

an almighty shock by lifting the trophy. So could

Portugal be this summer’s Greece? They might

not be rank outsiders like Otto Rehhangel’s side

were, but they have been defensively

conservative for the most part and have ground

out results, like Greece of 2004 did. They have

made the final eight without winning a single

match in 90 minutes. The comparisons are

there.

MAN OF THE MATCH - Domagoj Vida

With both Croatia and Portugal struggling so

badly in the final third an attacker was never

likely to take the Man of the Match award.

Instead it was a defender - Domagoj Vida - who

was the standout performer, with the Croatian

coming closer than anyone else to breaking the

deadlock in 90 minutes with a couple of headed

chances. He kept Cristiano Ronaldo quiet and

deserves a lot of the credit for how the Croatian

backline performed.

PLAYER RATINGS

Croatia - Subasic 5, Strinic 5, Vida 7, Corluka 5,

Srna 5, Modric 5, Badelj 5, Rakitic 5, Brozovic 5,

Perisic 6, Mandzukic 5. Subs - Kalinic 5, Pjaca

5.

Portugal - Patricio 5, Raphael 5, Fonte 5, Pepe 6,

Cedric 5, Carvalho 5, Gomes 5, Silva 5, Mario 6,

Nani 6, Ronaldo 5. Subs - Danilo 5, Renato 7,

Quaresma 6.