Croatian teammates predict win over Portugal, says NK Varaždin forward Tavares

Iuri Tavares, a 25-year-old forward for Croatian club NK Varaždin, has revealed the confidence within his team ahead of their World Cup clash against Portugal. Tavares, who holds both Portuguese and Cape Verdean nationality, stated that his Croatian teammates are convinced their national team will eliminate Portugal.

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Yes, we've already talked about it. They all tell me that Portugal will lose and that Croatia will crush Portugal. And I tell them: 'Okay, we'll talk after the game.'

"Yes, we've already talked about it. They all tell me that Portugal will lose and that Croatia will crush Portugal. And I tell them: 'Okay, we'll talk after the game,'" Tavares told Portuguese sports daily A Bola. He added with a laugh that he is ready to bet his teammates on the match's outcome, but they lack the courage to do so, preferring to just talk.

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I am for it, without a problem. Dinner, lunch, whatever. But they don't dare. They just talk.

Tavares anticipates a very demanding match between two top-tier teams. "It will be a very tough game. Croatia is a team that knows how to suffer on the field, but it also has great quality. We've seen how far they can go in recent World Cups. I think we're in for a great match," he predicted. However, he believes Portugal has the edge, stating, "Croatia is playing against one of the best teams in this World Cup. I believe Portugal will advance because it is much stronger."

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It will be a very tough game. Croatia is a team that knows how to suffer on the field, but it also has great quality. We've seen how far they can go in recent World Cups. I think we're in for a great match.

Reflecting on Portugal's performance in the tournament so far, Tavares admitted that he is not entirely satisfied. "Honestly, I don't think any Portuguese person is overly satisfied. We only played one good game, against Uzbekistan, and with all due respect, it was against Uzbekistan. We haven't shown our best version in the most important matches yet." Despite this, he is convinced Portugal possesses the quality to go all the way, concluding, "The World Cup is always a difficult competition because all teams have quality players. Portugal must show more because it can show more. In my opinion, it is still one of the candidates to win the title."

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Croatia is playing against one of the best teams in this World Cup. I believe Portugal will advance because it is much stronger.