Portugal 4-1 Croatia: 5 talking points as Fernando Santos' Portugal thrash World Cup finalists | UEFA Nations League 2020-21

#3: Joao Cancelo - Portugal's best player on the night

Joao Cancelo was Portugal's best player on the night (Picture courtesy Getty Images)

The man of the first half, Joao Cancelo was, for me, the best player on the pitch. If a brilliant weak-footed finish into the top corner was not enough, the Manchester City full-back also completed the joint-most duels (8) by any player against Croatia. His overlapping and inside runs made life difficult for Ante Rebic as Bernado Silva got the better of his club teammate.

While Kyle Walker got sent off for England in another game earlier in the day, his Manchester City companion produced a top performance. With one of his better games for Portugal, Cancelo has likely sealed a starting berth against Sweden before he returns to club football.

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#2: Back to the drawing board for Zlatko Dalic's Croatia

Zlatko Delic cuts a forlorn figure in the Croatia dugout (Picture courtesy Getty Images)

Why were Portugal's midfielders allowed so much time on the ball? Why was there such a massive gap between Croatia's defence and midfield lines? Was it a bad call to bench Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic? So many questions for Zlatko Delic to answer before his team travel to France to play Didier Deschamps's men.

Bruno Fernandes and Joao Cancelo caused massive problems for Croatia. Fernandes was able to exploit space with immense ease in midfield while Borna Barisic and Rebic were no match to Cancelo's incredible positioning, skill and pace. Portugal registered as many as 27 shots, which should be a big reason to worry for Croatia, going forward in the competition.

Zlatko Dalic and Co. reached the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but is the 53-year-old the right man to take a talented side to the next level? It's definitely very early to answer that as international football has just resumed after the COVID-19 outbreak.

#1: Bruno Fernandes led Portugal well in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo

Bruno Fernandes had a good game (Pitcure courtesy Getty Images)

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes must be proud of his performance against Croatia. Fernandes, one of the better players on the night, caused havoc in the middle of the pitch as we witnessed a finer version of the 25-year-old.

He is not the player who will dribble past 3-4 players to score a wonderful solo goal, but his intelligent movement with or without the ball creates spaces for players to score such goals.

Fernandes might go home thinking he could have done better as he only bagged an assist in a team that scored four goals. That's usually not what we see from the former Sporting man, but regardless, his performance was impactful. He ended the game with seven key passes (the most by any player), won eight duels (which was also the most by any player), completed 100% dribbles and had four tackles to his name in an all-round performance.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was sidelined due to a toe infection, would be pleased to see his national team play at such a level even in his absence. The future looks bright for Portugal as they seem to have a squad with the perfect mix of experience and raw talent.

Fernando Santos' men are definitely the favourites to retain their UEFA Nations League title as they extended their unbeaten run in the competition to eight games.