Portugal Defeat Croatia

Ricardo Quaresma scored in extra time as Portugal defeated Croatia 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals at Euro 2016.

The game was a cagey affair in which neither team put a shot on target in regulation time and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo did not line up a single attempt until setting up the game-winning goal in the 117th minute.

Moments after Croatia hit the post at the other end of the pitch, Portugal struck on the counter-attack, and keeper Danijel Subasic could only parry Ronaldo’s shot into Quaresma’s path.

Croatia controlled the ball in the early stages but rarely pushed forward, and although Portugal gained a foothold after 15 minutes, they were equally tentative.

The best chance of the first half came in the 25th minute after Ronaldo was fouled on the wing. Raphael Guerreiro sent in a well-placed cross from the free kick, but Pepe’s powerful header sailed over the bar.

Eight minutes later, Portugal defender Jose Fonte was whistled for a foul — and may have escaped with a stamp — on Ivan Rakitic. Croatia then worked the ball for a corner, from which Mario Mandzukic sent a header well wide of the net.

Croatia were livelier after half-time, though, and nearly took the lead on 52 minutes when Marcelo Brozovic barely missed getting a head to Ivan Strinic’s dangerous cross, and Portugal put it out for a corner.

The defence was caught napping, however, and as Croatia quickly took the corner, Brozovic’s shot from 12 yards sailed off-target.

Renato Sanches came on for Andre Gomes early in the second half and sparked some life into Portgual, lashing a 20-yard shot wide after a well-worked one-two with Joao Mario.

After the hour-mark, Croatia had another opportunity from a free kick, but Darijo Srna headed wide and seemed to take the chance away from Mandzukic, who was well-positioned behind him.

Portugal had a penalty shout in the 64th minute when Nani got in behind the Croatia defence and was kicked from behind by Strinic, but the ball had already gone out of play off the striker’s shoulder.