Portugal player ratings in last-gasp victory over Croatia
The game with Croatia was of little importance for Portugal, who had already been knocked out of the Nations League after defeat to France, but Fernando Santos’ side did manage to round off the campaign with a 2-3 victory away to the World Cup finalists.
Beating Croatia away from home is encouraging for Portugal - though their performance did not match expectations as they only narrowly defeated a side that were playing with 10 men for almost the entirety of the second half.
It was far from the rousing response to the loss to France fans would have been looking for, though playing below standard and still securing victory is in itself something of a positive.
But who impressed where others struggled? Who stood out in a match that failed to match the quality expected? Here we rate the performances of each of Portugal’s players, including the substitutes:
Rui Patricio - 6
Despite having virtually nothing to do all game, you can’t really fault Patricio for either of the goals that Croatia scored - and he actually pulled off a very smart stop to deny Kovacic for his first before the Croatian midfielder managed to hit home on the rebound. There was also one poor attempted pass out to Nelson Semedo, which fell short of its targeted and nearly turned possession over to Croatia, but overall you can’t be too critical of a goalkeeper that really had nothing to do and cannot be faulted for the two goals.
Mario Rui - 6
A solid display from the leftback, adding some good defensive contribution with his positioning and work rate, and he did make a minor case to be selected ahead of Raphael Guerreiro. He was also involved in some nice intricate link-up play down the left flank, and whipped in a couple of very teasing crosses which could have resulted in more. A solid, but unspectacular, performer who works in his role to a good standard.
Ruben Semedo - 5.5
This rating may still seem generous to many, but Ruben Semedo actually did a lot of things very right in this game. He covered for the right-back well when required, he was a major aerial presence, heading plenty of balls delivered into his vicinity away from the danger area, and generally read the game very well too. It was a very solid performance - until his failed clearance that allowed Croatia to score their opener. He was also at fault for Croatia’s second, unable to get to the ball ahead of the Croat forward, which ultimately allowed them to engineer the shot that ended up hitting the back of the net. It wasn’t the completely disastrous performance some are suggesting though - and his pass back across goal to get the assist for Portugal’s opener was unselfish intelligent play and ultimately created the goal. But even minor errors at this level can, and usually will, be punished, and without the two that he did, he could have easily been given a rating of 8. But because of how significant those mistakes proved to be, it’s tough to give him higher than a 6.
Ruben Dias - 9
In contrast to Semedo, it was pretty much an all-round quality display from Ruben Dias - and not just for his goals, either. He has to be given extra marks for his stunning brace, though; scoring not just one, but two goals from centreback is an impressive feat, and the speed at which he reacted to score the winner showed attacking instincts beyond that of a defensive-minded player. His delicious pass over the top to Diogo Jota for Portugal’s second simply isn’t spoken about enough, either, which basically created the goal. He was also exceptionally solid defensively, be it in the air, or on the ground. He was commanding, physical, and headed everything that came his way out of the danger area. A leader, and future captain.
Nelson Semedo - 8
A quality display down the right flank from Semedo, showing excellent composure in defence, and the work rate and determination to get forward on the overlap too, involved in much of Portugal’s activity. He is clearly a level above Mario Rui on the opposite defensive flank, and he proved it against Croatia with a really positive all-round performance, whipping in crosses and helping his side in both phases of the game. Croatia struggled to get past him in the one-on-one duals, and he showed great dribbling prowess at the opposite end of the pitch too. He is really making a serious case to be Portugal’s starting right back - and there is plenty of competition in that department.
Danilo Pereira - 6
It was another solid night for Danilo, who did a reasonable job of shielding his backline even if Portugal did ultimately concede two goals. Neither could be put down to him though, and he worked hard and helped break up some attacking moves with both grounded and aerial interceptions. Portugal are in good hands in defensive midfield.
Joao Moutinho - 7
Moutinho may well be struggling to secure game time at club level, but after an excellent cameo for Portugal in the previous game, the nation’s second most capped player in history pulled out another good display in the centre of midfield, helping dictate the game and again assisting with both sides of the game. He worked hard, won the ball back on a couple of occasions, kept the game ticking over, and delivered one or two great balls into the box too. Moutinho is not finished yet.
Bruno Fernandes - 5
A rather forgettable night for Bruno Fernandes, by his high standards particularly. He had some impact on the game in the 45 minutes he was given, though the fact he was the man withdrawn in place of Trincao at half time is all that is required to show that he wasn’t having the desired impact on proceedings. Still though, he delivered three very inviting balls into the box in the opening half, but he did play an extremely poor pass that gave away possession in midfield and very nearly cost Portugal a goal as a result to go two goals down. That was likely the final straw for Fernando Santos.
Diogo Jota - 6
Pretty ineffective for large spells, but Jota made that one excellent run to get on the end of Dias’ lofty pass before working hard to get to the byline and put it on a plate for Joao Felix. He was a little quiet overall though, but did show some of his typical energy and desire on the field, and could have scored with a header much earlier in the game too. He also showed good defensive work rate, which is so important in a discplined Fernando Santos team.
Joao Felix - 6.5
There were flashes of quality from Felix with fancy tricks and quick feet, which sometimes paid off, helping him manouver out of tight spaces, and on others didn’t. But like Jota, he showed a willingness to press at times and also put in a good shift defensively too, while he rounded off his efforts with a goal in the 60th minute too.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 6
It wasn’t a great display from Cristiano Ronaldo overall, just very ineffective in the attacking third, though his powerful free-kick in the opening minutes of the second half did ultimately sting the gloves of the goalkeeper and led to Portugal opening their scoring on the night.
Substitutes
Trincao - 8
Now that is how you leave your mark on a football match. Trincao was marvellous from the minute he came on, critical in helping Portugal turn the game on its head. While they looked lethargic and subpar in the first half, they at least showed some endeavour and urgency in the second, and much of that energy came through Trincao, who was at the forefront of a lot of Portugal’s best play with his dribbling and general link-up play, be it over short distances or crosses into the box. A statement performance from the Barcelona boy, and he is well in the conversation for starting future matches.
Bernardo Silva - 5
Really should have put Portugal ahead within 10 minutes of coming on, but his close range effort bounced off the terrain and went over the bar. Made one or two nice dribbles and added more directness and intricacy to the game, but other than that, an uneventful display.
Joao Cancelo - 5.5
Got involved a fair amount considering his little time on the pitch, with some good trickery and one very nice delivery into the box.
Paulinho - N/A
Sergio Oliveira - N/A
Photo author: Анна Нэсси. License link.
