Felix urges Portugal fans to keep calm ahead of Croatia clash at World Cup

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, June 29 : Portugal forward Joao Felix said on Monday that people back home jittery about the team's form after an underwhelming group campaign needed to keep calm ahead of the World Cup knockout clash against Croatia in Toronto this week. 

Concerns that the European powerhouse had lost its way surfaced after they followed a draw with DR Congo and a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan with a goalless draw against Colombia in their last Group K game on Saturday, progressing to the last 32 in second place behind the South Americans.

Felix was asked what message he had for fans ahead of Thursday's meeting with the Croatians, who reached the final in 2018 and the semis in Qatar four years ago.  

"They should stay calm," he told reporters at the team training camp.

"The guys here are calm. Drawing two matches doesn't mean we've lost confidence or that people should start doubting us.

"People just need to stay calm, just as we are calm and prepared for the match against Croatia. We're very confident that we're going to win, and we'll do everything to get through to the next round."

Felix said Portugal's familiarity with Croatia would be a definite advantage. 

"We're used to watching them play," he said. "We've played against them countless times, so we know their strengths and weaknesses well, and now it's about analysing that and making the most of it." 

The 26-year-old forward came closest to breaking the deadlock for Portugal with a fine volley on Saturday but the form of his Al Nassr clubmate Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice against Uzbekistan but was restricted to one shot on target against Colombia, is an ongoing concern for some.

Felix said he thought they worked well together up front and rejected the