Norwegian Referee Espen Eskas to Officiate Portugal vs Croatia World Cup Match Tonight

Portugal will face Croatia on Friday evening in Toronto, competing for a place in the last 16 of the World Cup. This match marks a significant moment as it could potentially be the last World Cup appearance for football legends Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric.

Who is the Referee for Portugal vs Croatia?

Norwegian referee Espen Eskas will officiate the match between Portugal and Croatia. This will be his second match at the tournament, having previously refereed the game between Uruguay and Cape Verde, which ended in a draw. Eskas has also been involved in high-profile matches, including Scotland's defeat to Brazil.

Referee's Background and Experience

At just 37 years old, Eskas is younger than both Ronaldo and Modric but has already built a notable career. He primarily officiates in Norway's top tier and has also been involved in Champions League games and served as a fourth official at the upcoming 2024 Euros.

Match Officials and Kickoff Details

Joining Eskas for this crucial match are his fellow Norwegians, Jan Erik Engan and Isaak Bashevkin, who will serve as assistant referees. The fourth official will be Abongile Tom from South Africa, supported by Zakhele Siwela. The match is scheduled to kick off at midnight UK time and will be broadcast live on BBC One.

In terms of performance, Portugal won one out of their three group stage matches to advance, while Croatia secured victories against Panama and Ghana after an initial loss to England.