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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes performed 70 minutes for Portugal as they suffered a 2-1 loss in opposition to Croatia in a pleasant match forward of Euro 2024.
Actual Madrid’s Luka Modric broke the impasse simply eight minutes into proceedings when he transformed from the penalty spot.
The match was fairly even for many components, with each groups testing the opponent’s goalkeeper. Each Diogo Costa and Dominik Livakovic between the sticks needed to make heroic saves.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota restored parity simply three minutes after the break. He was in the appropriate place on the proper time to faucet in a superb cross throughout purpose. Nonetheless, Croatia weren’t deterred and shortly received their reward.
Costa made a superb save to maintain out a strong shot however did not convey the ball underneath his spell. He may solely parry it onto the trail of Ante Budimir, who was all too completely happy to move it in from shut vary.
Through the time he was on the pitch, Fernandes had 67 touches of the ball and efficiently delivered 43 of the 49 passes he tried, managing a person go completion price of 88%. One in every of his key passes was a key go.
The 29-year-old, who began in a midfield trio additionally consisting of Joao Palhinha and Vitinha, tried to discover a Portugal teammate with two crosses and 6 lengthy balls. Fernandes efficiently linked with 4 of the lengthy balls he pinged. None of his crosses got here off.
The United skipper had only one shot to his title nevertheless it was off-target and didn’t actually problem Livakovic.
Fernandes accomplished the one dribble he launched into and gained 4 of the six floor duels he delved into. His different defensive contributions embody making one clearance and placing in 3 times as many tackles. He additionally blocked two pictures.
The playmaker lined up alongside United teammate Diogo Dalot, who was taken off at half-time and changed by Nelson Semedo.
Dalot made only one deal with and gained half of his contests on the bottom. He delivered two of the seven crosses he made and likewise the one lengthy ball he tried.
The proper-back touched the ball on 37 events.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
Sadly for Fernandes and Dalot, their efforts weren’t sufficient. They’ll nonetheless be seeking to make amends when the Selecao face Eire on Tuesday in one more pleasant encounter earlier than they lastly kickstart their Euro 2024 marketing campaign.
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