Euro 2024 Qualifiers: Portugal’s Challenging Opponents and Croatia's Ongoing Offensive Struggles

The Euro 2024 qualifiers in Groups D and J continued in the early hours of September 12th, Beijing time. Portugal had previously thrashed Luxembourg 6-0 in the first round, but since then, Luxembourg has shown remarkable improvement. With the qualifiers halfway through, Luxembourg has already matched their highest-ever points tally in European Championship qualifying history, suggesting that Portugal might not find it as easy to rack up a significant goal difference this time around. Croatia, known for their world-class defense but more modest offensive capabilities, faces a potentially tough away match against Armenia, who are fighting for their qualification hopes.

Portugal vs. Luxembourg - Europe Loses Another Minnow

As of now, Portugal and France are the only teams in the European Championship qualifiers with a perfect record and no goals conceded. In their previous away match against Slovakia, Portugal not only started Cristiano Ronaldo but also had him play the entire match, a rarity even during his Real Madrid days. This might be a perk of playing in the Saudi league, where he can rest at the club level if needed. Having secured enough points already and playing away, Portugal approached the match against Slovakia with a cautious strategy, preferring to pass the ball around rather than risk losing possession, as a draw would have been an acceptable result for them. Nevertheless, Bruno Fernandes scored just before halftime to give Portugal the lead. Slovakia controlled the second half, but Portugal’s ability to maintain possession and break up the play frustrated their opponents, allowing them to secure the win. The only disappointment was Ronaldo's inability to score.

Luxembourg is no longer the pushover it once was. They have already matched their highest points total in European Championship qualifying history, and with one more point, they will set a new record. Currently, they are in third place only due to goal difference. Considering they managed to hold second-placed Slovakia to a draw away from home in their first encounter, a home victory in the return fixture is not out of the question, which would put Luxembourg in a strong position to qualify. Luxembourg has also beaten Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland, teams that have made their mark in European football over the past decade. Despite these teams being past their prime, they are still considered stronger than Luxembourg, highlighting Luxembourg’s progress.

In the first encounter between Portugal and Luxembourg, Portugal dominated and won 6-0, with Ronaldo scoring twice. Ronaldo is expected to start again in the upcoming match, aiming to add to his goal tally. However, Luxembourg’s confidence has grown, and they might only lose narrowly, potentially 1-0.

Armenia vs. Croatia - Can the World Cup Bronze Medalists Maintain Their Offensive Form?

Croatia, the bronze medalists from the last World Cup, have not been as dominant in the European Championship qualifiers as expected. Their first qualifier ended in a home draw against a Welsh team that is past its peak. While they have won their subsequent two matches, they are still in second place because their participation in the Nations League last month meant they missed a round of qualifiers. Croatia’s offensive struggles have been apparent since the World Cup. In their last match against Latvia, Croatia's attack finally clicked, resulting in a 5-0 victory. With Turkey, the current group leaders, not playing this round, Croatia could move to the top of the table with a win over Armenia.

Armenia is level on points with Croatia, having played one more game, but is in third place due to goal difference. In their last match against Turkey, Armenia fought hard, knowing a win would boost their chances of qualifying. However, after leading for 40 minutes, they conceded an equalizer in the final minutes of regular time. This draw has made Armenia's qualification path more difficult but has helped Croatia. If Armenia cannot win against the two strongest teams in the group, Turkey and Croatia, they are unlikely to qualify, making the pressure on them in this match even greater.

Despite Croatia's superior overall strength, their quick counter-attacking ability may not be as potent as Turkey's, which could reduce Armenia’s chances of conceding on the break. A 1-1 draw seems a plausible outcome for this match.

Portugal's Steady March

Portugal's performance in the qualifiers has been solid, characterized by a strong defense and pragmatic play. Their cautious approach against Slovakia, focusing on maintaining possession and waiting for clear opportunities, reflects their confidence in securing qualification. With a squad full of talent and depth, including the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal can afford to play conservatively when necessary, knowing their quality will eventually shine through. However, the challenge posed by an improved Luxembourg side should not be underestimated, and Portugal will need to stay focused to avoid any slip-ups.

Croatia's Offensive Challenges

Croatia's journey in the qualifiers has been less straightforward. While their defense remains formidable, their attack has struggled to find consistency. The goalless draw against Wales highlighted these issues, and although they managed a convincing win against Latvia, tougher tests lie ahead. The match against Armenia is crucial for Croatia to establish themselves at the top of the group and build momentum. With key players like Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić, Croatia has the experience and skill to overcome these challenges, but they must improve their offensive output to ensure qualification.

Conclusion

As the Euro 2024 qualifiers progress, both Portugal and Croatia face distinct challenges. Portugal's dominance and defensive solidity contrast with Croatia's need to enhance their attacking play. The upcoming matches against Luxembourg and Armenia, respectively, will be crucial in shaping their paths to the tournament. With both teams boasting experienced squads and high expectations, the qualifiers offer a glimpse into their potential performances in next year's European Championship.