National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10305 (Terracing: 7729, Seating: 2370, VIP seats: 206) U21 Croatia's Alen Iviček started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. U21 Portugal's Cristiano Lage played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alen Iviček in the 8th minute of play. U21 Croatia's Trpimir Čaplar played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joel Coimbra in the 9th minute of play. Cristiano Lage showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alen Iviček, who was totally free with the ball in the 11th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Hilário Bento in the 14th minute of play forced U21 Croatia's goalkeeper Trpimir Čaplar to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Salvador Mesquita in the 15th minute of play forced U21 Croatia's goalkeeper Trpimir Čaplar to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 19 minutes of play, U21 Portugal's Joel Coimbra made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Trpimir Čaplar was left in no man's land by his defense there! The U21 Portugal fans' excitement grew in the 22nd match minute when U21 Portugal's Salvador Mesquita looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Jasenko Rogošić fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 25th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Cristiano Lage having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Salvador Mesquita in the 29th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Trpimir Čaplar saved U21 Croatia from getting behind. U21 Portugal were awarded a corner in the 30th minute after U21 Croatia's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Filinto Ferro took the corner. Trpimir Čaplar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Joel Coimbra, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Trpimir Čaplar showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Salvador Mesquita in the 35th minute of the match. Trpimir Čaplar took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Yuri Vilaverde, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of U21 Portugal booed when U21 Croatia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 38 match minutes in a wonderful position. Radimir Loje didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alen Iviček in the 42nd minute of play forced U21 Portugal's goalkeeper Cristiano Lage to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 43 minutes into the game, Jasenko Rogošić was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. U21 Croatia's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave U21 Portugal the free kick. After a rather tough play, U21 Croatia's Jasenko Rogošić got a free kick in the 43rd minute. After 44 played minutes, U21 Portugal's Filinto Ferro shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Trpimir Čaplar came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in U21 Portugal reached it. Humberto Eiró hit a great freekick 46 minutes into the match. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Salvador Mesquita was the one to do the kick off. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Salvador Mesquita in the 56th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Trpimir Čaplar saved U21 Croatia from getting behind. Alen Iviček blasted a shot towards the goal in the 59th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Cristiano Lage having to make a save. Cristiano Lage took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alen Iviček, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 64th minute Salvador Mesquita shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Trpimir Čaplar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Trpimir Čaplar made an important save on a dangerous shot by Joel Coimbra in the 68th minute. Mileta Dekanić kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. U21 Portugal made a substitution. Marcelo Castanheira replaced Salvador Mesquita. In the 75th match minute, U21 Croatia was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mileta Dekanić to maneuver through the defense. In the 75th minute of the match Yuri Vilaverde shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Trpimir Čaplar showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Trpimir Čaplar showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Marcelo Castanheira, who was totally free with the ball in the 79th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alen Iviček in the 81st minute of play forced U21 Portugal's goalkeeper Cristiano Lage to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 85 minutes into the match, Alen Iviček had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Cristiano Lage. U21 Portugal's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Alen Iviček was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-2. Andrej Kramarić hit a great freekick 88 minutes into the match. Trpimir Čaplar made a fantastic save in the 89th minute, when Marcelo Castanheira sent off a good shot on target. A throw-in in the 91st minute of the game was made by Humberto Eiró with Yuri Vilaverde as target, who quickly passed the ball forward. Trpimir Čaplar showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Marcelo Castanheira in the 94th minute of the match. The U21 Croatia fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. U21 Portugal were clearly better and deserved to take the win.