Roberto Martinez describes 'amazing' atmosphere in Portugal comeback win over Croatia

[p]A penalty from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ronaldo-cristiano/WGOY4FSt/"]Cristiano Ronaldo[/a] and a stoppage time winner from substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ramos-goncalo/xfW2M1Tt/"]Goncalo Ramos[/a] saw [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/portugal/WvJrjFVN/"]Portugal[/a] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/croatia-K8aznggo/portugal-WvJrjFVN/?mid=6BqAZhfn"]come from behind to get the win[/a].[/p][p]"[b]The first half was very good, technically and tactically,[/b]" said [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-roberto/zHf9Etgc/"]Martinez[/a] when describing the match. "[b]We controlled the match. We just missed a goal. We cancelled what [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/croatia/K8aznggo/"]Croatia[/a] did very well, which is keep the ball.[/b]"[/p][p]"[b]This was the first match so intense on our part. The second half was completely different. The match was more offensive, they had the ball a little bit more than us. There was that side kick and when we concede a goal it is very easy to let Croatia dominate. After a first half like this, the dynamics are completely against it.[/b]"[/p][p]Martinez also hailed his substitutes, having made four of them at once shortly after the hour mark. [/p][p]"[b]In the second half we had two different matches after they scored. We used the players we have, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ramos-gonzalo/4IcgxnEk/"]Gonzalo Ramos[/a], and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mendes-nuno/ne2xCTJj/"]Reuben Mendes[/a], when he came into the pitch. We’ve seen reserve players adding a lot to the matches. We have to start well and end even better. We need to have one middle player additionally. It was why we used Reuben.[/b]"[/p][p]When asked whether Portugal were favourites, the Spaniard quickly refuted the claim, saying "[b]when you look at all the round of 32, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a] was superior. But the other matches, what has been decisive were the details. The match against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] will be like that.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="c2cb26e7-2884-4750-aba1-fec8451f2dd5" url="https://x.com/selecaoportugal/status/2072851545910120907?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]In what was an electric crowd at Toronto Stadium, the fans were constantly bouncing and created an incredibly loud atmosphere.[/p][p]Describing the stadium and facility, Martinez was quite impressed with what the stadium had to offer.[/p][p]"[b]Beautiful facilities, it reminds me of the old fashioned Premier League,[/b]" he said. "[b]Wonderful field. It’s a shame there aren’t more games in Toronto.[/b]"[/p][p]Martinez knew the next match against Spain in the round of 16 will not be easy, and has a plan prepared to face their Iberian rivals.[/p][p]"[b]As coach I have to set a roadmap, which is recovery tomorrow and getting ready for Spain. We respect them a lot. We are a team does self criticism, emotions were very well controlled in the second half and we know we are going to continue the next stage. We respect them.[/b]"[/p]