Debut, security, goal and seven players from the academy with Portugal's jersey

The Portugal-Croatia, at the Estádio Algarve, was Portugal's first friendly match after the 2018 World Cup and marked the beginning of a renovation cycle. The benfiquistas Rúben Dias and Pizzi starred in the starting XI set by Fernando Santos; Gedson made his debut close to the end of the match.

Portugal's starting XI: Rui Patrício; João Cancelo, Pepe, Rúben Dias and Mário Rui; William Carvalho, Rúben Neves and Pizzi; Bernardo Silva, André Silva and Bruma.

Portugal's substitutes: Beto, Cláudio Ramos, Cédric, Luís Neto, Pedro Mendes, Raphael Guerreiro, Bruno Fernandes, Gedson, Renato Sanches, Sérgio Oliveira, Gelson Martins, Gonçalo Guedes and Rony Lopes.

Portugal's goal occurred in the 32nd minute: a corner on the right side of the attack taken by Bernardo Silva towards Pizzi, who rose his head and made a perfect cross for Pepe's headed, that gave no chance to the goalkeeper Kalinic.

Gedson, at 89', replaced André Silva and racked up his first senior Cap. Other players nurtured at Caixa Futebol Campus, Rony Lopes and Renato Sanches had already come on during the second half.

In all, there were seven players who went through Benfica's youth training that wore Portugal's jersey in this encounter: João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Mário Rui, Gedson, Renato Sanches, Rony Lopes and Bernardo Silva. Pizzi, a current member of the squad led by Rui Vitória, was the other player linked to Benfica who represented Portugal.

Pics: FPF