Luka Modric, Ante Budimir strike as Croatia win 2-1 to clinch first victory over Portugal

LISBON – Croatia finished their Euro 2024 preparations with an impressive 2-1 friendly win over Portugal on June 8 which Luka Modric called a “a great victory... (that) will give us confidence for the Euro”.

Zlatko Dalic’s side beat the Euro 2016 winners for the first time in the Lisbon suburb of Oeiras to send Group B rivals Spain and Italy a warning.

Roberto Martinez’s Portugal, among the contenders to win the tournament, fell to only their second defeat in 14 matches under the Spaniard.

Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench by Martinez, whose side squandered chances to equalise in the second half.

“Today’s game had a negative result... we want to win, it’s the best way to grow, but today there are also positives to take,” said Martinez.

Portugal won all 10 qualifying games but have lost in friendlies to Slovenia in March, and now Croatia.

“Winning against Croatia doesn’t make us good enough to win the tournament, losing doesn’t mean we will not qualify for the last 16,” said Martinez.

“A friendly game is about preparation. Now we are stronger than before the game... this is international football.

“We lost, Croatia deserved it, but for us it was a test we needed.”

Croatia had the better of the opening period against the subdued hosts and veteran Modric netted his 25th international goal from the penalty spot after Vitinha felled Mateo Kovacic.

Real Madrid midfielder Modric, 38, is hoping to finish on a high in what is likely to be the last major international tournament of his career.

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol twice came close, while Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa denied Andrej Kramaric and Ante Budimir headed off target.

Substitute Diogo Jota, on at the break, pulled Portugal level early in the second half but Budimir soon restored Croatia’s advantage with a header after Mario Pasalic hit the crossbar.

Portugal upped their game with Rafael Leao and Joao Cancelo creating danger in search of an equaliser but the visitors held on for another friendly victory after beating North Macedonia on June 3.

“It’s a great victory, it will give us confidence for the Euros,” Modric told Nova TV.

“Expectations are high, we have a very good team, a great atmosphere, desire, and enthusiasm.

“I hope we will play like this... only with this kind of game can we expect something big.”

Croatia start the tournament by facing three-time winners Spain in Berlin on June 15.

Martinez’s side have one final tune-up friendly at home, against Ireland on June 11 in Aveiro.

Portugal are favourites to progress from Group F, which also contains the Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia.

Also on June 8, Romelu Lukaku extended his Belgium scoring record as they ended their preparations for the European Championship with a 3-0 win over neighbours Luxembourg in Brussels.

Lukaku netted a 42nd-minute penalty for his 84th international goal and tapped in a second after being set up by Jeremy Doku’s jinking run down the left and square pass.

Leandro Trossard added the third in the 81st minute.

Belgium beat Montenegro 2-0 on June 5 in their first warm-up game.

Their players are getting a few days off before heading to Germany for their opening Group E match against Slovakia in Frankfurt on June 17. 

Meanwhile, goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Tadic gave Serbia the perfect send-off as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sweden in Stockholm on June 8 in their final friendly ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany.

Serbia kick off their Group C campaign against England in Gelsenkirchen on June 16 before going on to meet Slovenia and Denmark. AFP, REUTERS