Portugal coach Roberto Martinez praised his players’ character after their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez praised his players’ resilience after they came from behind to defeat Croatia 2-1 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash in Toronto.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty and Gonçalo Ramos’ stoppage-time winner sealed a dramatic comeback and booked Portugal’s place in the next round.
Reflecting on the performance, Martinez felt his side had controlled the contest during the opening 45 minutes despite failing to find the breakthrough. He was particularly pleased with Portugal’s tactical discipline and their ability to limit Croatia’s strengths in possession.
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“The first half was very good, technically and tactically,” Martinez said. “We controlled the match. We just missed a goal. We cancelled what Croatia do very well, which is keep the ball.”
The Spaniard admitted the game changed completely after Croatia took the lead early in the second half. He acknowledged the psychological challenge of conceding against such an experienced side but praised his players for refusing to let the match slip away.
Martinez also highlighted the impact of his substitutions after introducing four fresh players shortly after the hour mark. He credited the depth of his squad, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring the decisive goal and the substitutes helping Portugal regain control during the closing stages.
Looking ahead, Martinez dismissed suggestions that Portugal should now be considered favourites to win the tournament. Instead, he pointed to the fine margins that have defined many of the knockout ties and warned that their upcoming clash with Spain would be decided by similar details.
The Portugal boss also reserved special praise for the atmosphere inside Toronto Stadium, describing it as one of the best environments of the tournament. He compared the venue to the traditional stadiums of English football and admitted he wished more World Cup matches were being played there.
Martinez finished by outlining his immediate focus ahead of the Iberian showdown with Spain. He stressed the importance of recovery, honest self-analysis and maintaining emotional control, insisting Portugal respect their neighbours but are fully prepared for another difficult knockout challenge.
