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CROATIA LIFT CONFIDENCE
The Straits Times
|June 10, 2024
They beat Portugal 2-1 away in final friendly before Euro, sending warning to Spain, Italy
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Croatia finished their Euro 2024 preparations with an impressive 2-1 friendly win over Portugal on June 8 which Luka Modric called a "a great victory... (that) will give us confidence for the Euro".
Zlatko Dalic's side beat the Euro 2016 winners for the first time in the Lisbon suburb of Oeiras to send Group B rivals Spain and Italy a warning.
Roberto Martinez's Portugal, among the contenders to win the tournament, fell to only their second defeat in 14 matches under the Spaniard.
Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench by Martinez, whose side squandered chances to equalise in the second half.
"Today's game had a negative result... we want to win, it's the best way to grow, but today there are also positives to take," said Martinez.
Portugal won all 10 qualifying games but have lost in friendlies to Slovenia in March, and now Croatia.
"Winning against Croatia doesn't make us good enough to win the tournament, losing doesn't mean we will not qualify for the last 16," said Martinez.
This story is from the June 10, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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