CroatiavsPortugal
CRO 1/POR 2
Things to say
Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 at BMO Field in a World Cup clash.
01
opener
Portugal edged it 2-1. Croatia pushed late but couldn't find the equalizer. Proper tense one at the end.
02
key player
Diogo Costa was the difference in goal. Five saves, kept them in it when Croatia turned the screw.
03
hot take
Honestly Portugal rode their luck. Livakovic barely had a save to make, so they weren't exactly dominant.
04
deep cut
Rúben Dias was everywhere in the back. Eleven defensive interventions and still knocked out 87 accurate passes.
05
exit
Anyway, we'll see if they can keep the clean sheet mentality going in the next round.
The recap
Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 at BMO Field to book their spot, and it was far from comfortable. Diogo Costa was the difference, standing on his head with five saves to keep Croatia at bay while Rúben Dias marshaled everything in front of him.
Croatia pushed and Kovacic tried to drag them level, but Livakovic couldn't match his opposite number at the other end. Job done for Portugal, even if they rode their luck late.