The round of 16 is upon us and first up is Croatia (Aleksandar Holiga) against Portugal (Tom Kundert). Who will prove to be the best?
Total up your competition so far
Ok: Things have been going exceptionally well for Croatia. In spite of all the uncertainty back home and the ceaseless danger of hostile to organization fans who interfered with the diversion against the Czech Republic (and might take a stab at something comparable once more), the group is playing its best football in years - and seemingly the best of any group at the competition in this way. The won an extremely troublesome gathering, beating ruling champions Spain simultaneously. Abruptly even the title doesn't resemble an unthinkable mission any longer for the lasting dull steeds, yet they are confronting an exceptionally troublesome Portugal challenge.
TK: Largely baffling and stressing, with some beams of trust tossed in. No one thought Portugal would in any case be searching for their first win in the wake of finishing the gathering stage having confronted Iceland, Austria and Hungary. Notwithstanding representing some undeniable shortcomings - the absence of a directing No. 9 as a kind of perspective point in the punishment range the most glaring of them - Portugal ought to have improved in Group F, however mentor Fernando Santos appears as undecided as ever with respect to how to best use a luxuriously gifted squad.
There have been great individual showcases - Raphael Guerreiro, Ricardo Carvalho and Nani have all sparkled - yet little consistency or attachment regarding joint effort. It required commander Cristiano Ronaldo to practically without any assistance keep Portugal's trusts alive, not the first occasion when he's done as such. On the off chance that they are to advance against a considerable looking Croatia, Santos needs to hit upon the right equation and the group needs to at long last snap.
Key Battle
Ok: Ivan Perisic versus Vieirinha
The left winger has been Croatia's greatest assaulting danger in this way. Perisic is the sort of player who can beat any shield one-on-one and do harm, especially risky if permitted space on the counter - as Spain, among others, discovered the most difficult way possible. The Portuguese right-back 's quality is assaulting, Vieirinha is a frail connection protectively. He will need to expect a more preservationist part and improve in resistance, generally Perisic, Vierinha's previous colleague at Wolfsurg, will give Portugal the same lesson he gave Spain.
TK: Ivan Perisic versus Vieirinha
Bury Milan left-back Ivan Perisic was getting it done in the electrifying Croatia triumph against Spain, and given his intense blend of physical quality and specialized capacity, he could posture issues down Portugal's correct flank. Portugal right-back Vieirinha has not been taking care of business this competition, and may require assistance from right-sided midfielder Joao Mario to keep Perisic from making risky invasions profound into the Portuguese safeguard.
Star Man
Ok: Ivan Rakitic
Luka Modric is coming back to the group and the heft of Portugal's consideration in midfield is prone to be centered around ceasing, or if nothing else backing him off. Rakitic could flourish in that circumstance, in light of his adaptability and capacity to change his play as per the circumstances. Contingent upon how (and where) Portugal close down on Modric, Rakitic will drop further to help or stay behind the striker and search for spaces between the lines. He's similarly capable at both parts and could whichever way be a key variable in the midfield fight.
TK: Renato Sanches
The Benfica sensation is an inquisitive case in Portuguese football. Advertised to the sky at home, numerous trust the to a great extent star Benfica press have overcooked the capacities of the confrontational midfielder, while others demand he is the best new ability to rise up out of Portugal since Ronaldo. "[Sanches] is a vitality player, an effective player, who likes to drive the ball forward," Portugal protector Jose Fonte said to PortuGOAL.net. Truth be told, he is nearly the polar inverse to the smooth-passing, shrewd style of play of the man he supplanted at half-time against Hungary, Joao Moutinho, and it is presently a decent wager Santos will depend on the 18-year-old's dynamic quality from the begin against Croatia.
Forecast
Ok: 2-2, Croatia to win after ET
It ought to be an awesome amusement; points of interest could choose.
TK: Portugal 1-2 Croatia
There's not much to pick between the groups, but rather Croatia's better shape ought to see them edge the challenge against a Portugal side that has not figured out how to interpret the huge profundity of ability into a strong group.
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