Luka Modric scored a crucial penalty to help Croatia secure a 2-1 win against Portugal in a friendly match on Saturday. The game served as the last warm-up for Croatia before facing Spain in the European Championship.
Meanwhile, Spain dominated Northern Ireland with a 5-1 victory, with Pedri Gonzalez netting his first two goals for the national team. Both Croatia and Spain are set to open Euro2024 on June 15 in Berlin, placing them in a challenging Group B alongside Italy and Albania.
Portugal, favored in Group F with Türkiye and Georgia, will play one more friendly against Ireland before their Euro2024 campaign begins against the Czech Republic on June 18 in Leipzig. Notably, Cristiano Ronaldo stayed on the bench, with Gonçalo Ramos leading the attack.
Ronaldo, returning after his stint with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is set to make a record sixth European Championship appearance. He remains the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 128 goals and was instrumental in Portugal's 2016 European title win.
Modric opened the scoring in the eighth minute by beating Portugal's goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The Real Madrid maestro was awarded the penalty after Vitinha fouled Mateo Kovacic in the box.
