Portugal will enjoy a victory lap in Split as they conclude their triumphant UEFA Nations League group stage campaign with an away match against Croatia.

A dominant 5-1 win over Poland in Porto last week assured Roberto Martinez’s side of top spot in Group A1. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice.

International football’s all-time record goalscorer has been released back to Al Nassr and Martinez might also be tempted to ring further changes, with qualification secure and club managers to placate at a busy time of the season.

Poland’s chasing result last time out means Croatia only need a point to join the Selecao in the new quarterfinal phase despite a surprise 1-0 defeat away to Scotland in their previous match.

The Sporting News is following the Croatia vs. Portugal match live, providing live updates and commentary

Latest live updates | Team news and lineups | Where to watch where you are

Croatia vs. Portugal score

Venue: Stadion Poljud, Split
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)

Lineups:

Croatia (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 6. Sutalo, 5. Caleta-Car, 4. Gvardiol — 14. Perisic, 10. Modric, 8. Kovacic, 19. Sosa — 9. Kramaric, 22. Matanovic, 16. Baturina

Portugal (3-5-2, right to left): 12. Jose Sa (GK) — 2. Semedo, 3. Araujo, 13. Veiga — 20. Cancelo, 15. J. Neves, 23. Vitinha, 16. Otavio, 19. Mendes — 10. Joao Felix, 17. Leao

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Croatia vs. Portugal live updates, highlights, and commentary

WHAT A BALL from Vitinha to João Félix for the Portugal GOOOOOAAAAL! 🇵🇹🔥 pic.twitter.com/1j0ErghwCD

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 18, 2024

30 mins: Leao with a slick one-two, Gvardiol hurls himself at the Portugal forward’s feet to make the block. Joao Neves gets to the loose ball and tees up Semedo to crash wide at the near post.

26 mins: Gvardiol is down after a bit of a petulant clump from Neves. The big defender is back up, looks okay. Also looks angry.

25 mins: Leao carrying the threat for Portugal again. Perisic scampers back gamely to help ward off the danger at the cost of a corner. Mendes’ corner is cleared but Croatia are going to have to get a handle on Milan star Leao.

17 mins: Now it’s Portugal’s turn to threaten. Leao cuts inside and fires goalwards. Livakovic beats it away as far as Otavio, whose attempt is deflected over the top. The red and white chequered shirts deal with the corner.

14 mins: Modric and Kovacic are starting to weave some nice patterns now, pushing Portugal back, Semedo slices a clearance wildly out for a corner. Modric’s corner is cleared at the near post, Perisic gets a second attempt in, Jose Sa punches to the edge of the box and Baturina clatters off target.

8 mins: Joao Felix exchanges passes with Joao Neves but can’t get enough purchase on his finish under pressure and Livakovic gathers.

3 mins: Mendes gets around the back and his cross deflects just over Neves. Portugal have started very much on the front foot. Meanwhile, John McGinn has given Scotland the lead against Poland.

Kickoff: 1st Half

We’re underway in Split. Croatia being backed by the thundering din of a drum in the crowd. They have their fate in their own hands tonight. Can they get the job done?

5 mins before kickoff: Here come the teams. Anthems time and then we’re good to go.

25 mins before kickoff: In Ronaldo’s absence, it will be another of Portugal’s Saudi Pro League stars who captains the Selecao. A career CV boasting Benfica, Inter Milan, Valencia, Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona certainly means Joao Cancelo does not lack for elite credentials. A wing-back role should also the 30-year-old to demonstrate his lavish skill set.

45 mins before kickoff: Josko Gvardiol went viral in unwanted fashion after Scotland youngster Ben Doak sent him for a hotdog in Glasgow. The Manchester City defender has been speaking before this one.

We didn’t expect such an outcome in the match against Scotland, but that’s football. Now we have to move forward and be ready in Split. Everything is in our hands, we have to be fully prepared for the match against Portugal.

1 hr 15 mins before kickoff: The teams are in and there are plenty of changes for Portugal as expected. Joao Felix and Rafael Leao get the chance to impress in attack. Croatia have the experienced midfield two of captain Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic who will look to dictate things, while Roberto Martinez will hope the combination of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Otavio leaves them out-gunned. It looks like both teams are matching one another up with three centre-backs.

1 hr 45 mins before kickoff. Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of Croatia vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. Portugal, who won the inaugural edition on home soil in 2019, are already through to the knockout stages and Croatia only need a point to join them.

Croatia vs. Portugal kick off time

Croatia vs. Portugal lineups, expected starting 11, team news

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has made changes to his starting team following a shock 1-0 loss away in Scotland last week as Aston Villa captain John McGinn netted a late winner.

Petar Sucic misses out through suspension, after being sent off in Glasgow, while veteran wideman Ivan Perisic returns to the starting line up.

Captain and Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric completed 90 minutes against Scotland but starts once again in central midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic.

Croatia (3-4-3, right to left): Livakovic (GK) — Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol — Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, Sosa — Kramaric, Matanovic, Baturina

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Dominic, Kotarsi, Domink Livakovic, Nediljko Labrovic, Ivica Ivusic.

Defenders: Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caltea-Car, Josip Sutalo, Borna Sosa.

Midfielders: Nikolo Moro, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Martin Baturina, Luka Sucic.

Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Marco Pasalic, Mislav Orsic, Marko Pjaca, Igor Matanovic, Ante Budimir.

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With top spot in the group already wrapped up, Martinez has confirmed his call to release four player from the Portugal squad, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has headed back to Al Nassr, with Martinez looking to try out new players, as Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto return early for Premier League duty.

Joao Felix and Vitinha are among elevated to a starting role following the 5-1win over Poland.

Portugal (3-5-2, right to left): Jose Sa (GK) — Semedo, Araujo, Veiga — Cancelo, J. Neves, Vitinha, Otavio, Mendes — Joao Felix, Leao

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva,

Defenders: Nelson Semedo, Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva, Diogo Dalot, Renato Veiga, Nuno Tavares, Nuno Mendes, Joao Cancelo, Tiago Djalo.

Midfielders: Samu Costa, Joao Neves, Otavio, Vitinha.

Forwards: Francisco Trincao, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Francisco Conceicao, Fabio Silva, Geovany Quenda.

Croatia vs. Portugal live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this UEFA Nations League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: