Croatia vs Portugal live score: UEFA Nations League result, updates, stats as Cristiano Ronaldo rests up

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.

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)

Predicted lineups:

Croatia (4-2-3-1, right to left): Livakovic (GK) — Jakic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol — Modric, Kovacic — Perisic, Pasalic, Baturina — Kramaric.

Portugal (4-3-3, right to left): Costa (GK) — Dalot, Silva, Veiga, Mendes — Neves, Vitinha, Costa — Trincao, Felix, Leao.

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Croatia vs. Portugal live updates, highlights, and commentary

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

This UEFA Nations League match kicks off in Split at 8:45 p.m. local time.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

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

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic is expected to make 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 will miss out through suspension, after being sent off in Glasgow, and veterans Ivan Perisic and Mario Pasalic could be recalled to the starting line up.

Captain and Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric completed 90 minutes against Scotland but should lead his national team once again.

Croatia predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Livakovic (GK) — Jakic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol — Modric, Kovacic — Perisic, Pasalic, Baturina — Kramaric.

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 amongst those who could be elevated to a starting role following the 5-1 midweek win over Poland.

Portugal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Costa (GK) — Dalot, Silva, Veiga, Mendes — Neves, Vitinha, Costa — Trincao, 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: