World Cup finalists Croatia were pegged back by Pepe's header on his 100th international appearance as they drew 1-1 with a Portugal side minus the services of Cristiano Ronaldo at the Estadio Algarve.
2018 Friendlies
1-1
Match Events
10' Bernardo Silva's shot is saved
Scintillating from Bruma! He breezes past Modric in midfield and makes space for Bernardo Silva to the right of the box, but the Manchester City man's finish is tame. That run deserved better.
18' GOAL! Portugal 0-1 Croatia (Perisic)
Goal! Croatia have looked dangerous going forward and they have the opener. After winning possession high up, a bit of a scramble in the box ensues before Perisic emphatically lashes home the loose ball.
32' GOAL! Portugal 1-1 Croatia (Pepe)
Goal! He was on target in the last 16 loss to Uruguay and Pepe has followed that with a fine header here, connecting cleanly with Pizzi's cross following a corner.
It's back to 1-1.
78' Almost an own goal from Milic
Off the upright! Milic is spared from conceding an own goal by the base of the far post, having stuck out a boot to divert the overlapping Rui's low ball across the face of goal.
Match reports
World Cup finalists Croatia were pegged back by a Pepe header as they drew 1-1 with a Portugal side minus the services of Cristiano Ronaldo at the Estadio Algarve.
Ivan Perisic gave the visitors an 18th-minute lead in the friendly fixture, lashing in a first-time shot with his right foot after a deflected clearance had run perfectly into his path.
Croatia had rarely threatened prior to the opener but the Inter winger benefited from a lucky break to fire home after Portugal had carelessly given away possession inside their own half.
Despite the absence of the talismanic Ronaldo - who asked national boss Fernando Santos to be rested from national duty at the start of September - Portugal levelled before the break.
Defender Pepe climbed high to meet Pizzi's cross from Portugal's right flank with a powerful header that left Lovre Kalinic - picked to replace the retired Danijel Subasic in goal - rooted to the spot.
Croatia's goalkeeper had earlier kept out attempts from Bruma and Bernardo Silva as the hosts made a lively start, on both occasions getting down low to prevent Portugal from scoring.
However, Kalinic needed the help of the woodwork to avoid conceding again in the closing minutes, Antonio Milic turning a low cross from Mario Rui onto his own post before watching on as the ball deflected away to safety.
Perisic had sent a header straight at Rui Patricio soon after the break, yet the second half failed to catch fire, a raft of substitutions by both teams consistently interrupting the flow of the game.
32' GOAL! Portugal 1-1 Croatia (Pepe)
Line-ups
Portugal XI: Pepe, Rui Patrício, Pizzi, Mário Rui, Bruma, William Carvalho, Cancelo, André Silva, Rúben Neves, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva
Subs: Beto, Neto, Sérgio Oliveira, Cláudio Ramos, Cédric Soares, Mendes, Lopes, Gelson Martins, Gonçalo Guedes, Bruno Fernandes, R.Sanches, Gedson Fernandes
Croatia XI: L. Modrić, I. Perišić, D. Vida, M. Badelj, Š. Vrsaljko, M. Livaja, L. Kalinić, M. Kovačić, M. Pjaca, Matej Mitrovic, Borna Barisic
Subs: Duje Cop, Santini, J. Pivarić, M. Brozović, A. Milić, D. Livaković, Mario Pasalic, T. Jedvaj, F. Bradarić, Rog, K. Letica