Croatia v Portugal background
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Article summary
Portugal have won all three of their previous meetings with Croatia without conceding, but are up against a side unbeaten in ten games in the round of 16.
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Croatia will look to beat Portugal for the first time as the sides meet in Lens, with Fernando Santos's team aiming to halt a run of three draws at UEFA EURO 2016.
Previous meetings
• Portugal have won all three previous matches against Croatia without conceding, most notably triumphing 3-0 in their first encounter, in the group stage of EURO '96 – though it was the last group game and Croatia, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals by winning twice, fielded an under-strength line-up.
• Their most recent meeting was a friendly in Geneva in June 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the only goal after 36 minutes.
• Croatia defeated Jamaica 3-1 in Lens in their first game of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
EURO facts: Croatia
• Croatia come into the match unbeaten in ten games (W8 D2) since a 2-0 qualifying loss to Norway in September 2015.
• This is Croatia's fifth EURO final tournament – they have missed out just once since independence, at UEFA EURO 2000, and this is their fourth successive finals. They have twice reached the last eight and twice bowed out at the group stage.
• Croatia's greatest achievement in international football is picking up a bronze medal at the 1998 FIFA World Cup – the last major tournament staged in France.
EURO facts: Portugal
• Portugal are competing at their sixth consecutive EURO and their seventh in total. They have never failed to make it through the group stage.
• Portugal's greatest feat is getting to the final of UEFA EURO 2004 on home soil, where they unexpectedly lost 1-0 to Greece.
• EURO '84 in France was Portugal's first – they were semi-finalists, succumbing 3-2 to the hosts in extra time.
Coach and player links
• Current team-mates:
Eduardo and Gordon Schildenfeld, Marko Rog, Ante Ćorić and Marko Pjaca (GNK Dinamo Zagreb 2014–)
Luka Modrić with Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe (Real Madrid CF 2012–)
Mateo Kovačić with Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe (Real Madrid CF 2015–)
Danijel Subašić with João Moutiho and Ricardo Carvalho (AS Monaco FC 2013–)
• Former team-mates:
Ivan Perišić and Vieirinha (VfL Wolfsburg (2013–15)
• Ronaldo became the first player to score at four EUROs when he registered twice against Hungary in their climactic group stage game, and has also set a new finals appearance record: 17.
• Nani will pick up his 100th cap if he features against Croatia.