Portugal vs Croatia 2-1: UEFA Nations League Group A1 – as it happened

Portugal begin their campaign with a comprehensive 2-1 victory over Croatia in Lisbon.

Croatia will not be too dismayed as they get a chance to recoup points against Poland and Scotland next.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of today’s encounter, and continue to stay tuned as we cover select matches from the UEFA Nations League competition.

Until next time, this is Rohan Sharma signing off for Al Jazeera.

𝟵𝟬𝟬 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗦. 🐐🇵🇹 @Cristiano #PartilhaAPaixão | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/bYtmXcTs61

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 5, 2024

Ronaldo, who began his senior career with Sporting Lisbon in 2002, reaches a mark no other player would have ever dreamed of.

In a career that has included productive stints with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Portugal, Juventus and Al Nassr, the emblematic player scored his 900th career goal where it all first began.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is the first player to reach the mark with his closest rival, Lionel Messi, currently on 842 goals.

Brazilian legend Pele is in third spot with 765.

𝟵𝟬𝟬𝘅 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗢 𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗗𝗢 🐐🇵🇹 E o melhor? A história ainda não acabou… 🫡️ #PartilhaAPaixão | #CR900 pic.twitter.com/8HHjttwj4D

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 5, 2024

⚽️ 450 for Real Madrid
⚽️ 145 for Man United
⚽️ 131 for Portugal
⚽️ 101 for Juventus
⚽️ 68 for Al Nassr
⚽️ 5 for Sporting

LEGENDARY 🐐👑#GOAT #Cr7 #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/y1lUCUYjDr

— UEFA Nations League (@UFNationsLeague) September 5, 2024

With Scotland and Poland currently deadlocked at 2-2 at Hampden Park, it looks like Portugal will soar to the top of Group A with three points after one round of games completed.

Croatia are rooted to the bottom for now, but that should change when they take on Poland on Sunday.

Portugal next face Scotland on the same day and will enjoy home advantage once more with the game set to be played in Benfica.

Full Time 🕜
Portugal 2:1 Croatia #NationsLeague #UEFANationsLeague #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/9WI9cHmZz4

— UEFA Nations League (@UFNationsLeague) September 5, 2024

Portugal hold on at Estadio da Luz to beat Croatia 2-1.

Despite Croatia having their moments, they were just not as adept as the hosts when it came to finishing.

The match, however, will forever be remembered for Ronaldo’s 900th career goal.

Full-time: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Just the four minutes now to play out as Portugal look to hold on.

Croatia are desperate for an equaliser here as they pile bodies up the pitch.

90+2 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Scratch that, Vitinha is indeed subbed for Pedro Goncalves after he once again struggled with the apparent niggle he picked up.

The corner is taken from the right side.

The ball ends up with Kramaric volleying by the near post from the left side but crashing the chance into the side netting.

90+1 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Ronaldo is subbed off to rapturous applause after capping the match with his 900th career goal.

He is replaced by Diogo Jota.

Vitinha ambles his way to the sideline in the meantime and looks set to continue.

88 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

He is seen covering his face as he lies on his back.

There is a call for the medical staff by Dias, who is stationed near him.

87 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Ronaldo finds himself on a break on the right side.

He passes towards Semedo on his left, who fires at goal, but the ball ends up deflecting off the back of a Croatian defender and over the bar.

The resulting corner is taken on the right side by Fernandes, but nothing comes of it.

84 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

A lovely chip is provided from the right flank by Peter Sucic.

Matanovic is able to execute a header towards goal but ends up steering it past the right upright.

81 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

The hosts make a replacement as Antonio Silva comes on for Inacio.

Soon after, Ivan Perisic and Peter Sucic are brought on for Modric and Jakic, respectively.

79 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

After receiving a pass from Sucic from the right, the substitute tries to hit the target for the first time.

He ends up steering his shot just wide of the near post.

76 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

The Portuguese talisman stands over the ball in trademark fashion.

You know there is only one option on his mind once the whistle blows.

The moment comes, and he goes for the long-distance strike but ends up curling the ball into the wall.

74 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Portugal continue to control proceedings in Lisbon.

It leads to a frustrated challenge from Matanovic, who is pulled up by the referee.

Modric goes to protest and is immediately shown a yellow card.

It leads to a free kick chance from about 25 metres (27 yards) out from the left side.

72 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Croatia are on the break with Pasalic bearing down on goal just right of centre.

Dalot spots the danger and makes a key sliding stop to dispossess the Croatian in the nick of time.

Luka Sucic then comes on to replace Pasalic soon after.

68 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Vitinha provides the delivery into the box.

Croatia are able to clear the initial danger, though.

Fernandes ends the sequence with a long-range strike that dips just before Livakovic, who collects with ease.

66 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Fernandes receives the ball inside the box just left of centre.

He plays a pass towards Bernardo, who then lays the ball off to a rampaging Ronaldo.

Ronaldo fires towards the near post with the Croatian keeper doing well to dive to his left and block the chance.

It wouldn’t have mattered if he had found the target, though, as the linesman indicates Fernandes was offside when he received the initial ball.

63 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

It is the end of Baturina’s night as he is replaced by Igor Matanovic.

61 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Ronaldo returns the favour to Mendes on the left side.

Mendes decides to take his first shot at goal with the ball climbing towards the Croatian keeper’s head.

He is able to parry the ball straight up before collecting the rebound upon its return.

59 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia