Portugal hold Croatia as Pepe marks 100th cap with equaliser
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Updated 06/09/2018 at 21:06 GMT
Friendly, Estadio Algarve - Portugal 1 (Pepe 32), Croatia 1 (Perisic 18)
Portugal v Croatia - Estadio Algarve, Faro, Portugal - September 6, 2018 Portugal's Pepe celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
Croatia failed to exact revenge for their Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Portugal in their friendly meeting in the Algarve - despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Visiting goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic was forced to make several key saves in the opening minutes, with Bruma and Bernardo Silva posing the most attacking threat.
However, two minutes after Ruben Neves saw a free kick attempt float narrowly wide, Ivan Perisic put the visitors ahead. Neves gave up possession in his own half to Mateo Kovacic, whose ball into the area deflected off Pepe into Perisic’s path. The Internazionale forward sent an incisive volley past Rui Patricio from around 10 yards.
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Portugal v Croatia - Estadio Algarve, Faro, Portugal - September 6, 2018 Croatia's Ivan Perisic celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
Pepe, captaining his national team on his 100th appearance, scored the equaliser just after the half-hour mark. Benfica midfielder Pizzi’s excellent floated cross was powerfully headed home by the Besiktas defender.
Chances were few and far between in a second half that was disrupted by regular substitutions. Portugal came closest to taking the lead when Mario Rui put a low ball across the face of the six-yard box, which Antonio Milic turned against his own post.
Portugal will play their first UEFA Nations League match against Italy on Monday, while Croatia will travel to Spain for their debut in the new tournament on Tuesday.
TALKING POINT
Which side learned the most from this friendly? While we may question the purpose of this friendly in the UEFA Nations League age, it might be Portugal who took the most from this one. Not only did they cope without their megastar talisman, but Fernando Sanches gave plenty of players a first run-out, including Monaco youngster Rony Lopes and Benfica’s Gedson Fernandes.
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Portugal v Croatia - Estadio Algarve, Faro, Portugal - September 6, 2018 Portugal's Bruma in action with Croatia's Luka Modric
Image credit: Reuters
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ivan Perisic (Croatia) The Inter Milan attacking midfielder terrorised the left flank for most of his time on the field. His volleyed goal was extremely well taken and he was a classy presence throughout.
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Croatian forward Ivan Perisic (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during a friendly football match between Portugal and Croatia at the Algarve stadium in Faro, on September 6, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Special commendation must also be given to Joao Cancelo, who was superb at right back for the hosts.
PLAYER RATINGS
Portugal - Patrício 7, Cancelo 8, Pepe 7, Rúben Dias 6, Rui 6, Carvalho 7, Neves 6, Pizzi 7, B. Silva 7, Bruma 6, A.Silva 6 Subs: Martins 5, Fernandes 5, Lopes 6, Oliveira 5, Sanches 6
Croatia - Kalinic 7, Vrsaljko 6, Vida 6, Mitrovic 6, Barisic 6, Kovacic 6, Pjaca 7, Modric 7, Badelj 7, Perisic 8, Livaja 7 Subs: Jedvaj 6, Milic 6, Pasalic 5, Santini 5, Cop 6, Rog 6
KEY MOMENTS
18 - GOAL! Neves gives up possession around 40 yards from goal and Kovacic charges into the box. His pass deflects off of Pepe and Perisic buries the ball past Patricio with a powerful volley!
32 - GOAL! Portugal are level! A Pepe header! Pizzi sent in a curling cross from the right and Pepe rose above the pack to nod it into the bottom-right corner.
78 - CHANCE! Rui puts in a low cross from the left and Milic gets a foot on it... his attempted interception hits the post! Portugal were inches from going ahead via an own goal!
KEY STATS
Pepe has scored three goals in his last five matches for club and country.
Perisic’s goal was Croatia’s first against Portugal in five meetings, dating back to Euro 96.
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