Danijel Subasic did well to make the point-blank save on his goal-line, but nobody tracked the run of Ricardo Quaresma who had the simple task of nodding into an empty net. It is clearly in the weaker half of the bracket, avoiding Spain, Italy, Germany and France until the final on July 10.
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Portugal appeared to find their rhythm as play developed, but Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani were struggling to get into the match due to a deep and stern Croatian back-line, led by the strong Vedran Corluka. When Ivan Perisic scored a late goal to help Croatia beat Spain 2-1 to claim top spot in Group D, Ante Cacic’s side seemed to have an easier road to the semifinals.
“We have to look in the future and start to think about the FIFA World Cup in Russian Federation (in 2018) and prepare this team”, Croatia coach Ante Cacic said.
Portugal have only won one game in the European Championship and that was one in which they scored their first and only chance after nearly two hours of defending and waiting.
-This game saw the longest wait for a shot in a game at Euro 2016 (24 minutes 40 seconds), beating the previous longest time of 12:13 in Belgium’s game with Ireland. And sadly, the new favorites to win the European Championships have learnt the lesson the bitter way.
“Everything was ideal, but we didn’t score”, Croatia coach Ante Cacic said through a translator.
Contrast England manager Roy Hodgson’s tinkering at these Euros with Wales counterpart Chris Coleman’s absolute conviction that he knows his best formation and his best team. His most decisive acts in the 90 minutes were two clearances in his own penalty area. It ended with whistles from the crowd.
By then, Ronaldo was playing as a traditional No. 9 target man, yet still no chance came his way, or anyone else’s.
Both sides sought to dominate the game in midfield in the early stages and as a result chances were at a premium throughout – it was 25 minutes before there was a chance at goal and the opportunity fell to Pepe.
Perisic, who had a patch of his hair dyed to match the red-and-white checked pattern of his shirt, then cut in from the right but he dragged his shot outside the near post.
Croatia had a wonderful chance to take the lead in the 52nd minute when Ivan Rakitic delivered a short corner into Marcelo Brozovic after the Portuguese defence had gone to sleep, but the midfielder fired over from close range.
Portugal’s caution could perhaps be explained by having just two full days rest after a 3-3 draw with Hungary on Wednesday.
Ireland coach Martin O’Neill is angry because Irish fans received just 4,500 tickets for the match in the 59,000-capacity Stade de Lyon.
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) vies with Croatia’s defender Darijo Srna in their E …
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The 1-0 win at a raucous Parc des Princes in Paris was probably the dullest game of the tournament so far, but Bale said Wales could not care less as they reached the last eight of a major tournament for the first time since the 1958 World Cup. Nani’s astute pass set up Ronaldo for the first clear strike at goal of the evening.
