Portugal progress as EURO' 96 Group D winners following Croatia success

Portugal cruised into the quarter-finals with a comfortable 3-0 win against already-qualified Croatia.

Miroslav Blaževic's team had won their first two fixtures to reach the last eight with room to spare and therefore fielded a much-changed side. Though that decision eased their opponents' task, Portugal more than played a part by applying some clever finishing to their intricate build-up play for the first time in the tournament. Luís Figo was first to find the target after just four minutes, with João Pinto adding a second on 33 minutes and Domingos completing the scoring late on.

Figo was in instrumental form from the off, neatly side-footing in Secretário's excellent right-wing cross to ease the early pressure on his side. The Barcelona winger was also involved in Portugal's second; Fernando Couto headed back his corner and Sá Pinto's attempted overhead kick fell to Pinto, who showed admirable composure to beat Marijan Mrmić from seven metres.

Though the second-half arrival of the likes of Davor Šuker bolstered Croatia, they still conceded a lax third with eight minutes left when Domingos steered in a low shot following a defensive mix-up involving Dubravko Pavličić and Igor Štimac. Croatia had surrendered top spot in Group D and would now find themselves up against Germany in the last eight, with Portugal pitted against the Czech Republic.

Lineups

Portugal celebrate confirming their quarter-final placeIcon Sport via Getty Images

Croatia: Mrmić; Jarni (c), Soldo, Bilić, Pavličić, Šimić; Jurčević, Prosinečki (Boban 46), Mladenović (Asanović 46); Vlaović, Pamić (Šuker 46)
Substitutes: Ladić, Štimac, Stanić, Brajković, Cvitanović
Coach: Miroslav Blažević

Portugal: Vítor Baía (c); Dimas, Hélder, Fernando Couto, Secretário; Luís Figo, Oceano, Rui Costa (Pedro Barbosa 61), Paulo Sousa (José Tavares 70); João Pinto, Sá Pinto (Domingos 46)
Substitutes: Vítor Paneira, Cadete, Alfredo, Porfírio, Folha, Paulo Madeira, Rui Correia
Coach: António Oliveira

Referee: Sándor Puhl (Hungary)

Man of the Match: João Pinto (Portugal)