Evening all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 coverage continues from Lens as Croatia face Portugal in the round of 16. On paper, this is certainly one of the ties of the round and many are tipping an exciting and combative Croatia outfit to advance deep into this competition. Portugal, however, and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo will surely have something to say about that. Let's hope for a cracking night!

Somewhat surprisingly, tonight will be just the fourth meeting between these two nations in international football. Portugal have won each of the previous three, including a 1-0 friendly win when they last clashed in June 2013. Their only competitive meeting was during the group stages of Euro 1996 and Portugal were 3-0 winners on that occasion. Can they triumph once again tonight?!

Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Are Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic back for Croatia? Has Ronaldo been left out? Can you imagine? Right, let's have a look!

TEAMS!

CRO: Subasic; Srna, Vida, Corluka, Strinic; Badelj, Modric; Perisic, Rakitic, Brozovic; Mandzukic

POR: Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; William, Gomes, A.Silva; Mario, Ronaldo, Nani

The big news from the Croatia camp is that both Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic are fit to return to the XI after missing the 2-1 win over Spain through injury. Domagoj Vida and Ivan Strinic also come into the defence for Tin Jedvaj and Sime Vrsaljko, while Marcelo Brozovic returns in a wide position. Ivan Perisic, who scored the winner against Spain, will once again operate on the left of the attack.

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As for Portugal, head coach Fernando Santos has made four changes to the team that drew 3-3 with Hungary last week. Southampton pair Cedric Soares and Jose Fonte replace Vieirinha and Ricardo Carvalho in defence, while Raphael Guerreiro also returns in place of Eliseu at left-back. Further forward, Adrien Silva starts his first game of the tournament ahead of Joao Moutinho, who drops to the bench. Nani, who has netted two goals at Euro 2016, continues alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the final third.

So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just over 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Lens. I shall talk about Portugal a bit later, but let's start with Croatia, who will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 win over Spain, which saw them secure first position in Group D. Backed as high as 40/1 for success at the start of the tournament, Croatia are now being taken very seriously indeed.

Ante Cacic's team opened their Euro 2016 challenge with a 1-0 win over Turkey on June 12, before drawing 2-2 with Czech Republic on June 17 in a match that was marred by violent scenes. At 2-0, Croatia were absolutely breezing into the next round, but Milan Skoda halved the deficit in the 76th minute, before Tomas Necid netted a 93rd-minute penalty to level the scores in Saint-Etienne.

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The game had been stopped at 2-1 Croatia, however, after flares and fireworks were thrown onto the pitch by a small number of Croatian supporters. Thankfully though, a reported planned attack on the referee during the Spain match on June 21 did not come to fruition. Let's hope for no trouble tonight.

On Monday, UEFA fined Croatia £77,000 for crowd trouble and the Croatian Football Federation have also been banned from selling tickets to fans identified as "hooligans". That was after all the tickets had been sold for this match, however, and therefore the second sanction is deferred until after this tournament. It is thought that the fans were protesting against their own federation, which some believe is corrupt.

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Tuesday night was all about the football, however, as Croatia beat Spain 2-1 in Bordeaux to secure first position and in theory, gain a more favourable draw in the next round. Alvaro Morata's seventh-minute goal sent Spain ahead, but Nikola Kalinic equalised in the 45th minute, before the brilliant Ivan Perisic won it in the 87th minute after Sergio Ramos had missed from the penalty spot.

On Wednesday night, it looked for all the world as if Croatia would be facing Iceland in the next round and that was indeed the case until the 94th minute, when Iceland found a winner against Hungary in Group F and dropped Portugal into third position. Iceland will now take on England and Portugal, as one of the best third-place finishers, are the opponents for the Croatians tonight.

A crazy match in Lyon saw Portugal come from behind on three occasions to draw 3-3 with Hungary on Wednesday night. Cristiano Ronaldo missed from the penalty spot against Austria in their second match, but the Real Madrid attacker hit a brace against Hungary to get his tournament up and running. It was far from convincing from Portugal, but they just managed to make the round of 16.

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Indeed, Fernando Santos's side qualified from Group F despite failing to win a single match. They opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iceland on June 14, before drawing 0-0 with Austria four days later. Then came the 3-3 draw with Hungary which left them in third position on three points.

Portugal are competing in their seventh straight European Championship finals, which is an impressive record. They failed to qualify in either 1988 or 1992 after making the semi-finals in 1984, but have been strong players in the competition since then. At Euro 1996, Portugal made the quarter-finals, before making the semi-finals of Euro 2000. On home soil, they were runners-up at Euro 2004 and have made the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively in the last two editions of the tournament.

100 - Nani is the fourth Portuguese player to reach 100 caps, after Ronaldo, Figo and Couto. Centurion. pic.twitter.com/TPVqedxs4l — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) 25 June 2016

PREDICTION! I fancy Croatia to triumph tonight. On paper, Portugal are strong, but the Iberian nation just have just not impressed me this summer. If Croatia can stop Ronaldo, they will have a brilliant chance of progressing. I am backing this to be decided in 90 minutes - Croatia 2-1.

Confirmation of the two teams for tonight's match...

CRO: Subasic; Srna, Vida, Corluka, Strinic; Badelj, Modric; Perisic, Rakitic, Brozovic; Mandzukic

POR: Patricio; Cedric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; William, Gomes, A.Silva; Mario, Ronaldo, Nani

Time for the national anthems!

Both sets of supporters were in good form for the anthems. It is Croatia versus Portugal for a spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. I have a feeling that we could be in for a real treat tonight.

KICKOFF! The winner of tonight's last-16 tie will face Poland in the quarter-finals next week. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in terms of the final result. The atmosphere is wonderful inside the stadium as Croatia get the first period underway...

... bright start from Croatia as Perisic breaks down the left and looks to put Cedric under immediate pressure, but Pepe steps in to clear and Portugal can look to build from the middle of the park. Both of these teams like to have possession of the ball, but both are also dangerous on the counter-attack.

Not an awful lot to report in terms of attacking intent in the early exchanges, but Croatia have had more of the ball. Modric, back from injury, is dictating the tempo from the middle of the park.

Not quite the start that Portugal would have had in mind as Santos's team remain camped inside their own half, attempting to close the space available to the Croatians, who have started well.

Better from Portugal as Gomes and Cedric both deliver crosses towards Ronaldo, but the number seven is just eased out. Very considered start from both sides, little of real note to discuss!

Just a reminder that the winner of this match will face Poland in the quarter-finals next week. Wales have also already made the last eight after beating Northern Ireland 1-0 earlier tonight. Good possession for Croatia in the last couple of minutes, but Portugal are defending well in Lens.

Nani goes down after clashing with Perisic, but it does appear he will be fit to continue.

A loose pass from Vida almost allows Portugal the chance to break into the Croatian box, but Nani's pass into Ronaldo puts the attacker under pressure and Corluka is across to make the challenge.

Portugal force the first corner of the match, but Corluka is on hand to clear with a towering header and Croatia can launch a counter-attack. Very tense and tight opening 16 minutes in Lens.

Srna dives into a challenge with Ronaldo and that brings a huge roar from the Croatian supporters. Portugal have been unable to get their main man in the match thus far. That said, Mandzukic has been very quiet down the other end. We are still waiting for the first half-chance of this last-16 tie.

Ronaldo is fortunate to escape a booking after standing on the foot of Srna. Painful one!

Not too surprising that neither team wants to give much away at the moment, but to be honest, this has been a pretty poor opening 23 minutes. Who is going to take this game by the scuff of its neck?

Portugal have a free kick in a dangerous area as Perisic brings Ronaldo to the deck...

... CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Portugal as Pepe meets the resulting set piece from Guerreiro, but his header is over the crossbar. Comfortably the best opportunity of this game!

Watching that Pepe chance back, it was an even better opportunity than I first thought! The centre-back was free inside the Croatian box, but somehow headed over Subasic's goal. Much better from Portugal in the last few minutes as they continue to move the ball in the final third of the field.

SHOT! Perisic races away from Guerreiro down the right before cutting inside and looking to pick out the near post, but his effort hit the side netting. Decent opportunity for the Croatians!

As expected, this game is very, very tight. We could be in for a loooong night!

Nani looks to poke the ball into Guerreiro as the left-back again makes himself available for Portugal, but the pass is too strong and Subasic is out to collect. Down thew other end, Rakitic wins a free kick for his team after Fonte pushes the midfielder to the deck. Not long until the half-time break.

Mandzukic meets a corner from the right, but his header was always wide of the post.

Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and you just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to win this last-16 tie. We have seen very little from the so-called flare players on the pitch and both defences have been strong in Lens. Both teams are in need of some inspiration!

Vida meets a Croatian free kick this time, but once again, his header is harmlessly wide.

Almost a half-chance for Croatia as Strinic breaks away down the left, but his cross is very disappointing and Portugal can clear their lines. Down the other end, Gomes looks to find Nani with a clever pass, but the number 17 loses control and then fouls Subasic in the Croatian net.

The good news is that there have been no crowd disturbances tonight. The bad news is that this has been a pretty average opening 43 minutes of football. Neither side is doing enough at the moment.

Croatia have a free kick some 40 yards from the Portugal goal after Mario fells Rakitic...

... super delivery from Rakitic, but Pepe is on hand to head behind.

Tactical, tight, boring. In truth, that was not a great first 45 minutes. Both sides have struggled for inspiration in the final third and it does appear that a mistake or a moment of brilliance will be needed to win this match. Let's hope for an improvement when the two teams reappear in Lens!

STATISTICS! Croatia have shaded the possession with 60%, while they have had three attempts, neither of which were on target. Portugal, meanwhile, only had one attempt in the first period and that was a Pepe header over the crossbar. No bookings to speak of or any challenges of real note!

BENCH WATCH! Croatia boss Cacic has a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with the likes of Cop, Kalinic, Kramaric, Pjaca and Kovacic all capable of making an impact in the second period. Portugal, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Eder, Moutinho, Quaresma, Sanches and Rafa Silva.

19 touches from Ronaldo in the first half.

None were in #CRO's box.https://t.co/kRZURf9729 pic.twitter.com/dKe6xe4iRl — Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) 25 June 2016

RESTART! Portugal resume the action in Lens...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.

Bright start from Croatia as Modric continues to pick up possession in the middle of the park, but the Real Madrid midfielder just cannot find Rakitic with a through pass. Portugal are going to make an early change in the second period as Sanches receives his final instructions from Santos...

... PORTUGAL SUB! Sanches replaces Andre Gomes for Portugal.

Possession football from Croatia in the early stages of this second period.

CHANCES! Much better from Croatia as Strinic breaks down the left before delivering a super cross into Mandzukic, but Fonte is on hand to clear. The resulting corner is played short into Brozovic, but his effort is over the crossbar! Two super chances for the Croatians there.

You just get the feeling that this is either going to be 1-0 in 90 minutes or it will go all the way to penalties. I am finding it difficult to imagine both teams scoring in normal time tonight.

Modric finds a yard of space outside the Portugal box, but his left-footed effort was always moving over the crossbar. Still goalless as we fast approach the hour mark in this last-16 tie in Lens.

CHANCE! Sanches combines with Mario and looks to drive the ball into the bottom corner, but his effort is wide of the post. Super feet from the young Portuguese there.

One mistake, one moment of magic. It is going to take something like that to change the course of this match. At the moment, we are heading for extra-time and the serious possibly of penalties.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Croatia to take the lead as Vida meets a super free kick from Srna, but the centre-back's effort is just wide of the post! So close to 1-0 here!

Nani attempts to chest a super Adrien Silva cross into the back of the net, but the winger is kicked to the ground by Vida. No penalty says the referee, but I have certainly seen them given!

There is no question that the tempo of this match has risen in the last 10 minutes and both teams are now committing plenty of players in the final third. It does appear that one goal would be enough to win this match, but you just never know. Croatia are sitting quite deep at the moment here.

William delivers a super ball onto the chest of Ronaldo, but Vida is quickly on the scene to clear. Nani then breaks down the right, but just loses his footing in the act of crossing the ball.

There has still not been a single yellow card in this match, which is quite incredible. Rakitic is lucky to escape a booking after diving into the back of Sanches, who is such a strong young man.

Perisic attempts the spectacular after meeting a deep cross at the far post, but his effort was always flying over the crossbar. Still goalless with 72 minutes on the clock in Lens.

Good grief this game has been hard work at times, but the tempo is high at the moment.

Sanches bundles Srna to the deck and Croatia have a free kick in a wide position here...

... Rakitic delivers, but Ronaldo is on hand to clear!

Ronaldo combines with William and the central midfielder looks to return the favour, but Ronaldo does not read it and Croatia have a goal-kick. Little over 10 minutes of normal time left tonight.

BOOKING! William (Portugal) is booked for pulling Brozovic to the deck.

It must be said that the quality in the final third has been very poor tonight. Both defences have been impressive, but the big players - Ronaldo, Rakitic, Mandzukic, Nani - have not turned up.

Both sets of supporters seem to be enjoying themselves inside the stadium, but this game has been disappointing - there is no getting away from that. It looks like extra-time will arrive tonight.

Mandzukic has a problem for Croatia after landing awkwardly following a challenge with Pepe.

Nice football from Portugal in the last couple of minutes as they work the ball from left to right, but Cedric cannot find Sanches with a flick and Croatia can once again move clear with the ball.

Sanches is the one player on the pitch looking to make something happen and the midfielder manages to skip past Modric in a central area, but just cannot find the run of Mario out wide!

PORTUGAL SUB! Quaresma replaces Mario for Portugal.

CROATIA SUB! Kalinic replaces Mandzukic for Croatia.

Three minutes have been added here.

Srna looks to find Kalinic with a dangerous cross, but Pepe is on hand to clear and it does appear that we will have extra-time and possibly penalties to decide the outcome of this last-16 tie.

It will be penalties unless something incredible happens in the next 60 seconds or so.

Well, let's be honest, that was vile. That was really, really bad.

No goals and hardly a chance of note in 90 minutes of football between Croatia and Portugal. I would be surprised if there was a goal in the next 30 so shall we just skip to penalties here?! Please.

Zero shots on target. Yes, zero shots on target in that 90 minutes.

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RESTART! Portugal start extra-time here...

... Modric buys his team a free kick under pressure from Sanches, who is full of energy here.

Srna strikes a free kick some 35 yards from the Portuguese goal, but his effort hits the wall. Modric then delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but it flashes straight out of play for a throw-in.

Perisic looks to catch out Patricio from distance with a clever header, but his effort is over.

Kalinic breaks through after a mistake from Fonte, but his effort was always wide of the post.

Sanches has been easily Portugal's best player since entering early in the second period, which is an indication of how disappointing the likes of Ronaldo and Nani have been. The same can be said for Croatia, however, as neither team has produced enough in the final third of the field.

Brozovic strikes wide of the post as Croatia continue to look the most likely here.

Better from Portugal as a clever free kick from Quaresma leads to Strinic heading behind...

... it is delivered towards Pepe, but Brozovic is on hand to clear down-field.

Corluka is down receiving some treatment here.

Modric picks out Perisic at the far post, but the latter's attempt is very ambitious and well wide of the post. Another 15 minutes of goalless action and we will have a penalty shootout here.

Still no shots on target. But don't worry, Phil Jones has got this...

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RESTART! Croatia resume the action here...

... can we all be honest and say that this game has been absolutely vile.

PORTUGAL SUB! Danilo replaces Adrien Silva in Portugal's final change.

Just a reminder that the winner of this last-16 tie will face Poland in the quarter-finals next week.

CROATIA SUB! Rakitic is replaced by Pjaca.

Nani attempts the spectacular after meeting a deep cross from Cedric, but the contact is poor. Pjaca breaks down the other end for Croatia, but Pepe is across to make a fine challenge.

CHANCE! Free header for Vida as Patricio misses the ball, but his effort is wide!

Waiting for the first shot on target like...

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Kalinic meets a cross from Srna, but his header is high and Patricio is out to collect.

CHANCES! Perisic delivers a wonderful cross into the Portuguese box after a sensational pass from Brozovic, but there are no takers and then Perisic hits the post from close range!

Oh my word! Portugal have surely won this! They break and Nani's low strike falls to Ronaldo, who smashes the ball at the goalkeeper from close range. Quaresma is there, though, to head home!

Wonderful run from Pjaca as he drives into the Portugal box, but Pepe manages to scramble behind!

CROATIA SUB! Kramaric replaces Corluka.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Vida to equalise as he meets a high ball inside the Portugal box, but his effort is just wide. Oh my word what a chance to equalise there!

So there we have it. Heartbreak for Croatia as Quaresma sends Portugal into the last eight with a winner in the 117th minute. It is Portugal who will face Poland in the quarter-finals on Thursday. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to join Sports Mole's live coverage again soon!