Match ends, Portugal 1, Croatia 1.
PortugalPortugal1CroatiaCroatia1
Croatia's first match since their World Cup final defeat by France ended in a draw as Pepe headed an equaliser for Portugal in a friendly at the Algarve Stadium in Faro.
The visitors took the lead, with Ivan Perisic volleying in from close range in the 18th minute.
But Pepe, who scored in his country's last-16 loss to Uruguay in Russia this summer, headed in Pizzi's cross on 32 minutes to earn the home side a draw.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo missed the game after declaring himself unfit.
Sergio Oliveira and Gedson Fernandes won their first caps after coming on as second-half substitutes for the visitors, who also had Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves and Southampton defender Cedric Soares in their starting XI.
Croatia, beaten 4-2 by France in the World Cup final in July, are now without retired goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and striker Mario Mandzukic, while influential midfielder Ivan Rakitic was rested for the game.
Both countries begin their Nations League campaigns next week, with Portugal hosting Italy in Group A3 on Monday, while Croatia are in Spain on Tuesday in Group A4, which also contains England.
Line-ups
Portugal
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Rui Patrício
- 2Cancelo
- 3Pepe
- 6Rúben Dias
- 19Mário Rui
- 13NevesSubstituted forRenato Sanchesat 86'minutes
- 11Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forGelson Martinsat 45'minutes
- 20Afonso FernandesSubstituted forBruno Fernandesat 61'minutes
- 14William CarvalhoBooked at 72minsSubstituted forOliveiraat 81'minutes
- 7Tué Na BangnaSubstituted forRony Lopesat 68'minutes
- 9André SilvaSubstituted forCarvalho Fernandesat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Novo Neto
- 5Teodósio Mendes
- 8Renato Sanches
- 10Rony Lopes
- 12Morais Ramos
- 15Oliveira
- 16Bruno Fernandes
- 17Gonçalo Guedes
- 18Gelson Martins
- 21Cédric Soares
- 22Beto
- 23Carvalho Fernandes
Croatia
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12L Kalinic
- 2VrsaljkoSubstituted forMilicat 45'minutes
- 5Mitrovic
- 21VidaSubstituted forJedvajat 35'minutes
- 3Barisic
- 19Badelj
- 8KovacicBooked at 41mins
- 20PjacaSubstituted forRogat 72'minutes
- 10ModricSubstituted forPasalicat 55'minutes
- 4PerisicBooked at 30minsSubstituted forCopat 63'minutes
- 13LivajaSubstituted forSantiniat 57'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Livakovic
- 6Milic
- 9Cop
- 11Brozovic
- 14Bradaric
- 15Pasalic
- 16Jedvaj
- 17Santini
- 18Rog
- 22Pivaric
- 23Letica
- Referee:
- Javier Estrada Fernández
- Attendance:
- 26,356
Match Stats
Home TeamPortugalAway TeamCroatia
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away3
- Corners
- Home9
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Portugal 1, Croatia 1.
Post update
Foul by Rúben Dias (Portugal).
Post update
Ivan Santini (Croatia) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sérgio Oliveira (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Renato Sanches.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Gelson Martins (Portugal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gedson Fernandes.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Rony Lopes (Portugal) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Gedson Fernandes.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Duje Cop (Croatia) because of an injury.
Post update
Foul by Pepe (Portugal).
Post update
Duje Cop (Croatia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Mário Rui (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ivan Santini (Croatia).
Substitution
Substitution, Portugal. Gedson Fernandes replaces André Silva.
Substitution
Substitution, Portugal. Renato Sanches replaces Rúben Neves.
Post update
Attempt missed. Rúben Neves (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Gelson Martins following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Matej Mitrovic.
Post update
Attempt missed. André Silva (Portugal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by João Cancelo.
Post update
Attempt saved. Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Gelson Martins.
Substitution
Substitution, Portugal. Sérgio Oliveira replaces William Carvalho.
