Hosts Portugal will lock horns with Croatia in their UEFA Nations League 2024-25 League A opener at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon.
The Portugal vs Croatia, UEFA Nations League 2024-25 match will start at 12:15 AM IST on Friday, September 6.
Under the tutelage of head coach Roberto Martínez, the Portugal national football team will aim to bounce back after a disappointing UEFA European Football Championship 2024 campaign.
Portugal lost to France in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on penalties after the match ended in a goalless draw in regulation time.
Led by their talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal have announced their 25-member squad for the UEFA Nations League 2024-25.
Geovany Quenda. Renato Veiga and Tiago Santo are some of the new faces included in Portugal’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League. The likes of Joao Cancelo, Danilo Pereira and Francisco Conceicao have been dropped from the squad
Previously, inaugural UEFA Nations League winners Portugal failed to reach the finals of the last edition after they finished second in the League A Group 2 standings with three wins, one draw and two losses.
On the other hand, the Croatia national football team reached the UEFA Nations League 2022-23 final before losing to Spain on penalties.
Croatia were also knocked out in the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage after conceding a last-gasp equaliser to Italy in their final group game.
Ahead of the crucial clash, Croatia will miss the services of Lovro Majer, Josip Stanisic and Martin Erlic due to injuries.
Furthermore, defender Duje Caleta-Car is also doubtful for the Portugal clash after picking up a knock last weekend.
Portugal vs Croatia football head-to-head
The Portugal vs Croatia football head-to-head record favours the former. Portugal have won six of the eight matches that they have played against each other so far. Croatia registered just a solitary victory while one game ended in a draw.
The last time these two sides met, Croatia defeated Portugal 2-1 in an international friendly at the Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, Portugal in June.
Luka Modrić gave Croatia an early lead after he converted a penalty before Diogo Jota equalised for Portugal in the second half. Ante Budimir later netted the match-winning goal in the 56th minute to help Croatia register their first win over Portugal in international football.
Where to watch Portugal vs Croatia UEFA Nations League 2024-25 match live in India
The Portugal vs Croatia UEFA Nations League 2024-25 match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Ten 1 SD and Sony Sports Ten 1 HD TV channels in India.
Live streaming of the Portugal vs Croatia UEFA Nations League 2024-25 match will be available on the SonyLIV app and website
Photo credit: Alamy
