Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2022/23 UEFA Nations League
League A - Group 1
Matchday 1
Portugal v Croatia
Estadio da Luz
Lisbon, Portugal
Thursday, 5 September 2024
Kick-off is at 20h45
Inaugural
UEFA Nations League champions Portugal will kick off their 2024-25 challenge against Croatia at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on Thursday, September 5.
The Selecao, who beat Netherlands 1-0 in the 2018-19 final, failed to progress from their group in the subsequent two editions after finishing runners-up to eventual champions France and Spain respectively.
Roberto Martinez's side reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 in the Spaniard's first major tournament at the helm since succeeding Fernando Santos in January 2023.
Croatia are expected to pose their biggest threat in a group which also contains Poland and Scotland, with the latter competing in League A for the first time.
The Blazers will be hoping to go one better after they lost to Spain on penalties in the 2022-23 final, having gone unbeaten in the campaign prior to that.
Zlatko Dalic has been in charge of the national team since 2017 and also guided them to the final of the 2018 World Cup and the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Dalic's side endured a poor Euro 2024, however, as they exited at the group stages after failing to win any of their three matches.
Martinez defended his selection of Cristiano Ronaldo despite the 39-year-old forward proving ineffective at the European Championship in June and July, scoring no goals in five appearances.
"Cristiano Ronaldo's level is unique. A player at 39 years old, to continue playing at the high level that he is playing, to have the physical capabilities that he has, is incredible,"
"The individual goals are part of a player's career. For us, the only objective is the collective, and the objective of trying to improve what we did at the European Championships.
"Cristiano gave everything. I think the team gave everything for the shirt, and that is it. I am looking forward to the present. Cristiano is in a good moment and is important for the Portugal national team right now."
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Dalic admitted that injuries have hampered his selection for the opening two matches, but he is targeting a place in the quarter-finals nonetheless and could bring in new blood.
"The goal in the Nations League is to establish a system and selection for the World Cup qualifiers, but also to remain in the elite group, ideally reaching the quarter-finals to secure a favourable draw for the qualifiers," he said.
"I didn't expect the start of the season to be this complicated with injuries; many players have been ruled out. It's tricky, but we'll make our selection for the important start against Portugal.
"We need to assess who is ready and fit to play these two matches at full intensity, and then consider if we need to send out more invitations."
Head-to-Head record:
Matches - 8
Portugal wins - 6
Croatia wins - 1
Draws - 1
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