Portugal faces Croatia in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 match on Thursday at 7pm in Toronto, Canada. As two of football's greats, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric compete, this match could signify the end of their illustrious World Cup careers.
Match Overview: Portugal vs Croatia
The game will take place at Toronto Stadium, where both teams aim to progress to the last 16. Portugal, having underperformed in the group stage with only one win, will rely heavily on Ronaldo, who has made history by scoring at six World Cups. Croatia, conversely, comes off a strong performance, having recovered from an initial defeat.
Portugal secured their place in the knockout stage as runners-up in Group H, finishing with five points. Their results included:
- 1-1 draw with DR Congo
- 5-0 win over Uzbekistan
- 0-0 draw with Colombia
Meanwhile, Croatia also finished second in their group, earning six points with the following results:
- 4-2 loss to England
- 1-0 win against Panama
- 2-1 victory over Ghana
Star Players: Ronaldo vs Modric
This match marks a historic encounter as Ronaldo, at 41, and Modric, at 40, become the oldest outfield players to face off in a World Cup. Both players have faced criticism regarding their form, with Ronaldo struggling to make an impact during the group stages and Modric showing signs of age in Croatia's earlier matches.
