Quaresma's late extra-time header sends Portugal to Euro 2016 quarters

Ricardo Quaresma scored in late extra time to gift Portugal a 1-0 win over Croatia in the Euro 2016 Round of 16 here on Saturday.

Portugal will face Poland, which eliminated Switzerland through penalty shootout earlier, in the quarterfinals.

The tough and tight duel witnessed a goalless draw after regular time and was expected to go into another penalty shootout.

The 32-year-old Besiktus forward Quaresma, who came from the bench in the 87th minute, captured the last chance in the 117th minute when Ronaldo's close-range shot was denied by Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic. Quaresma was on hand to knock the rebound into the empty net.

Statistics showed that Croatia made 15 attempts in the whole game but not a single shot was on target. Portugal made five attempts, two on target. During the regular time, both sides made 15 attempts altogether, which all missed target.

Croatia's best chance to lead appeared in the 114th minute, when central defender Domagoj Vida rose at the far post to get on the end of a corner, but he lifted the header over the bar.

In the 25th minute, Portugal won a free-kick on the left through Ronaldo, and the subsequent delivery from Guerreiro was superb, but Pepe failed to keep his header down from six yards out.

Portugal won all three of their previous encounters with Croatia, scoring six goals and conceding none.

This game made Nani become the fourth player to win 100 caps for Portugal.

Croatia were unbeaten in their last 10 internationals (8 wins and 2 draws), the longest current run among all teams involved in Euro 2016.

Croatia coach Ante Cacic made five changes to his side which defeated Spain. The return of "magician" Luka Modric, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mario Mandzukic forced Marko Rog, Tin Jedvaj, Sime Vrsaljko, Marko Pjaca and Nikola Kalinic to the bench, despite they impressed a great deal against the defending champions.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos made four changes. Raphael Guerreiro returned from injury. Southampton duo Cedric Soares and Jose Fonte were brought into the back-line, making their first appearance of the tournament at the expense of Vieirinha and Ricardo Carvalho. Sporting Lisbon's Adrien Silva replaced Joao Moutinho in the midfield.

Portugal was a harsh reward for Group D winners Croatia. When Ivan Perisic scored a late goal to help Croatia beat Spain 2-1 to claim top spot in Group D, Ante Cacic's side seemed to have an easier road to the semifinals. But then Arnor Traustason's 94th minute winner for Iceland against Austria forced Portugal to settle for third in Group F, setting up this mouth-watering clash in Lens. Endit