Croatia managed to secure a vital 1-1 draw against Portugal on Monday, booking their place in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals. While Portugal had already clinched the top spot in Group A1, the draw helped Croatia edge out Scotland by just one point in a closely contested group. Meanwhile, Scotland bolstered their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Poland in Warsaw, showcasing their late surge in the tournament.
Portugal Start Strong in Split
Playing in Split, Portugal showcased their intent early on, controlling the pace of the game. In the 33rd minute, Joao Felix capitalized on a sharp counterattack, slotting the ball past the Croatian defense to give Portugal a deserved lead. Rafael Leao had a chance to extend the advantage but missed the target despite a clear opportunity.
The first half saw Croatia struggling to find their rhythm. The hosts appeared sluggish, unable to create meaningful chances against a well-organized Portuguese defense. However, everything changed after the break, as Croatia returned with renewed energy and purpose.
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Gvardiol’s Decisive Moment
Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol proved to be the game-changer. Known for his defensive prowess and timely goals, Gvardiol’s performance underlined his importance to the team. Although his header in the 62nd minute was disallowed for offside, he struck again just three minutes later. Ghosting into the far post unmarked, Gvardiol fired a close-range shot that squeezed past Portuguese goalkeeper José Sá, leveling the score and reigniting Croatia’s hopes.
Reflecting on the game, Gvardiol remarked, “It felt like two different games for us. In the first half, we seemed a bit tired and needed to make changes. The second half was much better—we had more energy, better control of the ball, and created more chances.”
Scotland’s Dramatic Win in Warsaw
Meanwhile, Scotland kept their Nations League campaign alive with a thrilling 2-1 win over Poland. John McGinn opened the scoring in the third minute, thanks to a precise assist from teenager Ben Doak. Poland responded in the second half with a stunning equalizer from Kamil Piatkowski, whose rocket of a shot left the Scottish defense stunned.
As the clock ticked down, Andy Robertson delivered the winning goal in added time, securing Scotland’s second win in four days. Despite their efforts, Scotland fell short of overtaking Croatia, who held on to the draw they needed to advance.
Croatia’s coach Zlatko Dalic commended his team’s resilience, saying, “I told the boys they earned this result through their hard work, though it seems we always have to struggle for it. While there might have been a results crisis, there was never a crisis in our play.”
Spain’s Victory Highlights Group A4
In Group A4, Spain, already assured of their quarterfinal spot, delivered an entertaining 3-2 win over Switzerland in Tenerife. The game featured multiple penalties and dramatic moments. Alvaro Morata earned Spain a penalty in the first half, but Pedri’s spot kick was saved. Yeremi Pino capitalized on the chaos to open the scoring for Spain.
Switzerland equalized with a spectacular solo effort from Joel Monteiro. Bryan Gil regained Spain’s lead after stealing the ball in the Swiss area, only for Andi Zeqiri to level the score with a late penalty. Deep into added time, Bryan Zaragoza converted another penalty to seal the win for Spain. Both Gil and Zaragoza celebrated their first international goals in what was a night to remember.
Denmark Falls Short in Serbia
In Leskovac, Serbia hosted Denmark in a must-win match to secure their spot in the quarterfinals. Despite several chances for both teams, the match ended in a goalless draw. Serbian goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic and Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel both delivered stellar performances, denying numerous attempts on goal.
The result secured Denmark’s second-place finish in Group A4, dashing Serbia’s hopes of advancing further.
Mixed Results in Other Groups
Elsewhere, the Nations League offered plenty of drama. In Luxembourg, Northern Ireland let a two-goal lead slip, drawing 2-2 but still topping Group 3 in League C after Bulgaria also drew 1-1 with Belarus.
In Group 2, Romania maintained their lead with a dominant 4-1 victory over Cyprus in Bucharest. Kosovo, despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half, secured a narrow 1-0 win against Lithuania in Pristina, keeping their qualification hopes alive.
Meanwhile, in League D, San Marino achieved a historic 3-1 comeback victory over Liechtenstein in Vaduz. The win allowed them to edge Gibraltar for the top spot in Group 1, marking a significant milestone for the underdogs.
What’s Next?
With the group stage now concluded, all eyes are on the Nations League quarterfinals. Croatia, Spain, and Denmark are among the teams vying for glory, while Scotland looks to secure their League A status through the playoffs. The next phase promises high-stakes action and thrilling matchups as the competition intensifies. Fans around the world eagerly await the next chapter of this exciting tournament.