Josko Gvardiol scored his first international goal in two years to rescue a point for Croatia in the 1-1 Nations League A Group 1 draw against Portugal in Split on Monday, as both teams advanced to the March quarter-finals.

Portugal was already assured of first place in the group before kick-off and left Cristiano Ronaldo out of the selection for the match day. Croatia finishes in second place with eight points from six games.

The visitors took the lead thanks to a brilliant finish from Joao Felix, who expertly controlled Vitinha’s perfect pass into his path and fired the ball low past Dominik Livakovic into the home goal.

Croatia came close to an equalizer when Gvardiol cushioned a header towards Andrej Kramaric and the latter’s shot hit the post and cleared to safety.

Kristijan Jakic’s cross to the back post was perfect for Gvardiol to beat Portuguese goalkeeper Jose Sa from close range and level the score, his third international goal and first since the 2022 World Cup.

Livakovic produced a brilliant point-blank save to deny Nuno Mendes a winner, while at the other end Sa made a fingertip stop as Ante Budimir looked certain to score from six yards, the latter also hitting the post late on.