BARCELONA: Luka Modric scored a penalty to help Croatia beat Portugal 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday as they prepare for the European Championship.
It was Croatia’s last game before it opens the tournament against three-time winner Spain on June 15. They are in a tough Group B along with Italy and Albania.
Portugal has one more friendly — against Ireland on Tuesday — before it starts the competition against Georgia on June 18. Portugal is the favorite in Group F that also includes Turkiye and the Czech Republic.
Cristiano Ronaldo never left Portugal’s bench, with coach Roberto Martínez tapping Gonçalo Ramos to spear his attack.
Ronaldo joined Portugal on Friday after finishing his club campaign with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The 39-year-old is set to make a record sixth appearance at the European Championship. Men’s soccer all-time leading scorer with 128 goals, Ronaldo helped Portugal win the European title in 2016.
Modric beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to open the scoring in the eighth minute at Portugal’s National Stadium near Lisbon. The 38-year-old Real Madrid midfielder was sent to the penalty spot after Vitinha fouled Mateo Kovacic in the area.
Halftime substitutes Diogo Jota and Nelson Semedo linked up to equalize for the hosts in the 48th, with Semedo assisting the Liverpool forward to tap in.
Ante Budimir restored Croatia’s advantage in the 56th after the Osasuna striker headed in a rebound of a strike by Mario Pašalić that Costa had done well to push onto the crossbar.
Costa twice denied Nikola Vlašić to save Portugal from a heavier defeat.
Modric was substituted in the 54th. His contract with Madrid is set to expire at the end of the month following a season when he lost his starting role in Carlo Ancelotti’s side. But the former Ballon d’Or winner seemed to indicate he wants to continue playing for the Spanish club when he told its fans in the celebrations of Champions League title No. 15 that he would see them “next season.”
Euro 2024 kicks off on Friday when host Germany plays Scotland.
![]()
Fermín was close to a move to Chelsea last summer, but stayed at Barcelona and has remained a versatile member of Hansi Flick’s side thanks to his scoring instinct.
He has netted 10 goals this season, including five in the Champions League, along with making 11 assists despite not always starting.
Barcelona called the new deal with Fermín a “strategic decision.”
Fermín joined Barcelona when he was 13. His previous contract was to expire in 2029.
Fermín has only made five appearances for Spain but is expected to be part of their World Cup team this summer.
Modric converts penalty as Croatia beats Portugal 2-1 in Euro warmup while Ronaldo rests
Short Url
https://arab.news/ptbvk
Modric converts penalty as Croatia beats Portugal 2-1 in Euro warmup while Ronaldo rests
- It was Croatia’s last game before it opens the tournament against three-time winner Spain on June 15
- Modric beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to open the scoring in the eighth minute at Portugal’s National Stadium near Lisbon
Barcelona midfielder Fermín López to extend contract through 2031
- Fermín was close to a move to Chelsea last summer, but stayed at Barcelona
- Barcelona called the new deal with Fermín a “strategic decision”
BARCELONA: Barcelona and breakout midfielder Fermín López have agreed to extend his contract through June 2031, the Spanish club said Friday.
The 22-year-old Fermín is one of the club’s top young talents, along with Lamine Yamal and Pedri González.
Fermín was close to a move to Chelsea last summer, but stayed at Barcelona and has remained a versatile member of Hansi Flick’s side thanks to his scoring instinct.
He has netted 10 goals this season, including five in the Champions League, along with making 11 assists despite not always starting.
Barcelona called the new deal with Fermín a “strategic decision.”
Fermín joined Barcelona when he was 13. His previous contract was to expire in 2029.
Fermín has only made five appearances for Spain but is expected to be part of their World Cup team this summer.
Latest updates
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.