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Ronaldo Left Out of Portugal’s Starting XI Against Croatia: Lineup Insights

Croatia vs. Portugal lineups, predicted starting 11, team news and injuries: Ronaldo removed by Martinez as Modric leads hosts image

The UEFA Nations League match between Portugal and Croatia is set to take place in Split on November 18, concluding their 2024/25 campaign.

Portugal, under Roberto Martinez, has already clinched the top position in League A Group 1 with four wins and one draw from five matches, while Croatia is in second place.

As a result, Portugal will secure a seeded spot for the quarterfinal draw in December, a stage scheduled for March 2025, while Croatia will remain unseeded as a runner-up from the group stage.

Croatia vs. Portugal lineups, anticipated starting 11, injury updates

Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic is likely to adjust his squad after last week’s unexpected 1-0 defeat to Scotland, where John McGinn of Aston Villa scored a last-minute goal.

Petar Sucic will be unavailable due to suspension from that match, and seasoned players Ivan Perisic and Mario Pasalic might return to the lineup.

Luka Modric, the captain and Real Madrid star, who played the full match against Scotland, is expected to lead the team once more.

Croatia’s anticipated lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Livakovic (GK) — Jakic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol — Modric, Kovacic — Perisic, Pasalic, Baturina — Kramaric.

Complete squad:

Goalkeepers: Dominic, Kotarsi, Domink Livakovic, Nediljko Labrovic, Ivica Ivusic.

Defenders: Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-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.

With their group position secured, Martinez has decided to release four players from the Portugal squad, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo has returned to Al Nassr, as Martinez aims to give opportunities to newer players, while Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Pedro Neto head back early for Premier League responsibilities.

Joao Felix and Vitinha are among those who may start after Portugal’s 5-1 victory over Poland during the week.

Portugal’s predicted lineup (4-3-3 formation): Costa (GK) — Dalot, Silva, Veiga, Mendes — Neves, Vitinha, Costa — Trincao, Felix, Leao.

Complete 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 broadcast, viewing options

Here are the various ways to watch the UEFA Nations League match in prominent regions:

Region TV Streaming
USA Fox Sports 2 Fubo, ViX, Fox Sports App
Canada DAZN
UK Viaplay YouTube
Australia Optus Sport
India Sony LIV, JioTV

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