After an eventful - but ultimately fruitless - run at Euro 2024, Portugal are picking up the pieces after another quarter-final disappointment, having also suffered a last-eight exit at Qatar 2022.

A penalty shoot-out defeat to France sent the Selecao packing in a summer that will be remembered for Pepe's last stand and Cristiano Ronaldo's uncontrollable tears.

While the 41-year-old defender has decided to hang up his boots, Ronaldo is keen to continue representing his country and head coach Roberto Martinez has recalled the Al Nasr star for this month's Nations League fixtures.

Portugal will be looking to go all the way in a tournament they won in 2019, having missed out on the finals last time out after finishing second to group rivals Spain.

Their Iberian neighbours went on to lift the trophy before enjoying more success at Euro 2016, so Martinez will be under even more pressure to deliver, especially given the wealth of talent at his disposal.

Undoubtedly, the former Belgium boss will be aiming for maximum points from a home double-header - Scotland arrive in Lisbon on Sunday - although even second place in Group 1 would be enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Now that UEFA has seen fit to add another knockout round to the Nations League, a top-two finish will be enough for Croatia to progress: Poland and Scotland start as outsiders.

But after their Euro heartbreak over the summer, Thursday's visitors will be keen to avoid complacency as they look to go one step further than 2023, when they were beaten by Spain in the final.

Amid a recent history of near-misses, the Croatians unexpectedly fell at the first hurdle in Germany, conceding a late goal to Italy in their third game to leave them without a win in the 'Group of Death' and confirm their exit.

However, there has been no panic and the faith in long-serving coach Zlatko Dalic has been maintained, while Luka Modric is following in the footsteps of his former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo by extending his international career.

While qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is Croatia's main medium-term goal, the prospect of finally getting their hands on some silverware should be motivation enough to go all out in this season's Nations League.

Portugal possible starting lineup:

Costa; Dalot, Dias, A. Silva, Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha; B. Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo

Croatia possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Pongracic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, L. Sucic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Ivanusec

Prediction:Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Portugal vs Croatia stream and TV listing

International：Holasports