Result: Portugal 4-1 Croatia
Date: 05 September 2020
Venue: Estádio Do Dragão
Portugal began the defence of their UEFA Nations League title on a winning note after thrashing Croatia 4-1 on Saturday evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo was not available for the Selecao due to a toe infection he sustained during the week while Croatia were without Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, who were both given a rest from international duty.
Portugal were creating plenty of chances in the early stages and Joao Felix came very close to opening the scoring in the 23rd minute with a deflected shot that came off the top of the post.
The Vatreni shot-stopper Dominik Livakovic was excellent between the sticks, thwarting every good chance from the hosts, as two minutes later he saved Pepe's free header from close range and denied him again from the rebound.
Joao Cancelo finally broke the deadlock for Fernando Santos' charges with four minutes left of the first stanza after being offered space just outside the box to cushion a lovely strike into the top corner as the hosts went to the break leading by an odd goal.
Portugal were threatening to double their lead coming from the break and Diogo Jota eventually made it 2-0 just before the hour-mark after going through on the left side of the box to slot a shot between the legs of Livakovic.
Felix got his name on the scoresheet for the European champions with 20 minutes remaining after being given a lot of space on the edge of the box to fire a low shot under the body of Livakovic.
Croatia managed to bag a consolation goal in stoppage time, as Bruno Petkovic went clear inside the box and dispatched a low strike into the back of the net.
However, Andre Silva got the fourth goal for the Selecao with a toe-poked effort at the back post in the last action of the match to round off an emphatic win that took them to the top of Group 3 in League A while Croatia were left at the bottom and without points.
