UEFA Nations League 2024-25: Croatia stages comeback to draw against Portugal, qualifies for knockouts
The HinduJosko Gvardiol scored his first international goal in two years to rescue a point for Croatia in its 1-1 Nations League A Group 1 draw with Portugal in Split on Monday as both teams advance to March’s quarterfinals. The visitor led thanks to a superb finish from Joao Felix, who expertly controlled Vitinha’s perfect pass into his path and lashed the ball low past Dominik Livakovic in the home goal. Kristijan Jakic’s cross to the back post was perfect for Gvardiol to beat Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa from close range and level the score, his third international goal and first since the 2022 World Cup. Livakovic produced a brilliant point-blank save to deny Nuno Mendes a winner, while at the other end Sa made a fingertip stop as Ante Budimir seemed sure to score from six yards and the latter also hit the post late on.