Croatia beat Portugal 2-1 with Modric’s penalty

With a penalty objective from Luka Modric, Croatia beat Portugal 2-1 on Saturday, whereas Spain beat Northern Eire in Saturday’s friendlies in preparation for the European Championship.

These have been the final exhibition matches between Spain and Croatia earlier than the match begins on June 15 in Berlin. They’re in a sophisticated Group B with Italy and Albania.
Spain readied its assault with a 5-1 win over Northern Eire. Pedi González led the way in which along with his first two targets for the nationwide group.

Portugal has yet another pleasant scheduled, in opposition to Eire on Tuesday, earlier than beginning the continental competitors in opposition to Georgia on June 18. Portugal is the favourite in Group F, the place Türkiye and the Czech Republic meet.

Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench for Portugal, and coach Roberto Martínez turned to Gonçalo Ramos for assault.

The highest scorer in nationwide group soccer solely joined the Portuguese group on Friday following ending his marketing campaign with the Al Nassr membership in Saudi Arabia. He’ll make his sixth look at a Euro. He was a part of the group that gained the European title in 2016.

Modric opened the scoring within the eighth minute on the Nationwide Stadium of Portugal, beating goalkeeper Diogo Costa, following a foul by Vitinha on Mateo Kovacic within the space.

Diogo Jota equalized for the hosts within the forty eighth minute with an help from Nelson Semedo.
Ante Budimir restored Croatia’s lead within the 56th following heading a rebound off Mario Pašalić’s shot that Costa had deflected.

Costa repelled two photographs from Nikola Vlašić to save lots of Portugal from an extra defeat.

Modric was changed at 54. His contract with Madrid expires on the finish of the month following a season through which he misplaced the beginning job in Carlo Ancelotti’s group. The previous Ballon d’Or winner has made it public that he needs to proceed taking part in for the Spanish membership.

Euro 2024 begins on Friday when hosts Germany tackle Scotland.

SPAIN WINS

Northern Eire’s Daniel Ballard stunned Spain with a header within the second minute. However Luis de la Fuente’s group overcame a rival in Mallorca who did not give them a battle.

Pedri had a double within the first half for his first targets in 20 appearances for the nationwide group. The 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder helped Spain attain the Euro semi-finals in 2021, however had not performed because the 2022 World Cup on account of damage. He returned Wednesday within the 5-0 win in opposition to Andorra.

Álvaro Morata, Fabián Ruiz, and Mikel Oyarzabal, who had three in opposition to Andorra, additionally scored.