‘Golden Oldies’ Prepare for Nations League Reunion

Portugal vs Croatia

It’s not quite two months since Portugal’s bid to be crowned champions of Europe for a second time ended by the narrowest of margins.

Against a nation billed as pre-tournament favourites, Portugal only bowed out in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 because France had slightly more accuracy from 12 yards.
The footballing world rarely pauses for breath, of course, and the Selecao now begin their Nations League campaign, albeit without one of their veteran stars of the summer, combative defender Pepe, who has finally called it a day from international football at the tender age of 41.

Yet they still have the other veteran talisman in their ranks and, unless we hear otherwise, Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping for one final international tournament swansong.

Talking Points

Two years Pepe’s junior, he will lead his side against a nation which is looking to bounce back from a massively disappointing summer and is led by another ‘golden oldie’ in the shape of his former Real Madrid team mate Luka Modric.

Nations League: Pepe had already announced retirement from International Football — Pepe waving to fans after his last match for Portugal

As respected journalist Henry Winter wrote this week, this truly is a meeting of two greats of the modern era.

Players who have starred in tournament after tournament and a clash which offers more than opportunity for a stroll down memory lane, but also a reflection of when is it time to step down and leave the stage to others.

As Winter eloquently states: ‘It must be a painful decision and process, almost admitting a sense of mortality after two decades of superhuman effort. It’s what each has known for more than half their lives, that adrenalin, patriotism and physical, tactical and technical challenge of the international stage. The supremely competitive nature of both Ronaldo and Modric means they will not listen to the critics, only to their bodies on when it’s time to go.’

The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr and this week, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner says he “never considered leaving the national team”.

As for Modric’s Croatia, they had their chances to shine in a tough group in Germany but a last gasp goal conceded to Italy meant they were eliminated at the group stage after three performances which were largely a shadow of those from recent World Cups – where they finished runners-up and third respectively.
If they are to create Nations League highlights this week, they will have to do it the hard way as they are missing a number of players through injury.

Defenders Josip Stanišić and Martin Erlić, as well as in-form midfielder Lovro Majer have all been ruled out and did not meet up with the squad in Zagreb. Duje Ćaleta-Car is also in doubt after picking up a knock.

The hosts have no such issues and while manager Roberto Martinez has refreshed his squad, selecting youngsters Geovany Quenda, Renato Veiga and Tiago Santos for the first time, their experienced core remains and they will start as favourites.

History

Given the impressive form of these two nations over the 21st century, especially as they are smaller than many of their footballing counterparts, it may surprise you to learn that Croatia had never beaten Portugal until three months ago.

That was a friendly in June just before Euro 2024 which saw Croatia win 2-1 on Portuguese soil with Modric (penalty) and Ante Budimir on target. Diogo Jota replied for the home side.

In fact, Croatia have only drawn once in their eight meetings with six Portuguese victories.

The most important of those have come in the European Championships, including their very first meeting at the group stages in 1996 when Luis Figo, Joao Pinto and Domingos scored the goals in a 3-0 win in Nottingham.

They also met at Euro 2016 in the last 16 when two teams packed with outstanding talent failed to live up to their pedigree.

It is thought to have been the first game in the tournament’s history when neither side managed to muster a shot on target in the 90 minutes.

However, on the night that Nani made his 100th appearance for his country, Portugal reached the quarter-finals of a tournament they would go onto triumph in, courtesy of a Ricardo Quaresma goal in the 117^th minute.

The most recent competitive meeting was in the UEFA Nations League in Split in November 2020 when players who have all plied their trade in the Premier League traded goals.

Ruben Dias’ second half double, including a last-minute winner, sealed a 3-2 victory for Portugal with Joao Felix getting the other.

Mateo Kovacic, now a teammate of Dias at Manchester City, netted both for Croatia.