Will Portugal Be Able to Replicate Their 2016 Glory at Euro 2024, as They Gear Up for a Crucial Friendly Match Against Croatia and Face a Tough Group Draw?

Portugal will be heading to Euro 2024 looking to win the trophy for the second time in their history having done so back in 2016. They were excellent during their qualifying campaign, emerging as group winners with a perfect record of ten wins in ten games. Portugal were the only team to maintain a 100% winning record during qualifying and were also the highest-scoring side over the period, netting a whopping 36 goals while conceding only two. Since then, A Selecao das Quinas have played three friendlies, winning two very convincingly 5-2 against Sweden and 4-2 against Finland, though they were beaten 2-0 by Slovenia back in March. That defeat stands as Portugal’s only loss in their last 13 matches, dating back to their round of 16 World Cup exit against Morocco back in December 2022. The hosts beat this opponent in their last encounter and are the bookmakers’ favourite in this one. 

Meanwhile, Croatia have been criticized for failing to turnover their squad in recent years, with many suggesting that their aging team could struggle against younger European powerhouses like England and France. However, the Croats once again overcame the odds during qualifying by finishing second in their group behind Turkey and ahead of Wales, Armenia and Latvia. In their eight qualifying matches, the Checkered Ones picked up 16 points with a record of five wins, one draw and two losses. They also scored 13 goals in that time while conceding four. The visitors have played three international friendlies in 2024 and won all, beating Tunisia and Egypt back in March, while they were far too good for North Macedonia last week and eased to a 3-0 victory at home. With those results, Croatia are now on a five-match winning streak in all competitions and have lost only one of their last seven away games. However, it is worth noting that they have not beaten this opponent in their last seven matches dating back to June 1996.

Prediction: Portugal

Switzerland vs Austria stream and TV listing

Djibouti: beIN SPORTS CONNECT

Slovenia: HRT 2

International：Score808 808ball