PortugalPOR
2
Cristiano 67' (p),Goncalo Ramos 93'
CroatiaCRO
1
Perisic 52'
Finished
World Cup 2026

Portugal vs Croatia summary: score, stats, goals and highlights | 2026 World Cup last 32

Gonçalo Ramos’s stoppage-time header settled a thrilling round-of-32 tie in Toronto, where Croatia had an even later equalizer chalked off for offside.

Gonçalo Ramos’s stoppage-time header settled a thrilling round-of-32 tie in Toronto, where Croatia had an even later equalizer chalked off for offside.
William Allen
Journalist and translator, AS USA
British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.
Update:

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Portugal vs Croatia: as it happened

FT

Peeep peeep peeep! Its all over! Portugal have edged Croatia in a magnificent, thrilling exhibition of knockout soccer. They advance to a last-16 tie with Spain.

Have we just seen the last of Luka Modric - possibly at international level, possibly at all levels? I very much hope not

Gonçalo Ramos's very late header has won it for the Portuguese, after Josko Gvardiol's even later leveller was ruled out for that tight, tight offside call. 

Portugal had much the better of the first half - but the second was, as they say, a ding-dong cup tie. Croatia, who saw Ivan Perisic's opener cancelled out by Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty, could just as easily have won it.

Zlatko Dalic's men can, certainly, feel with some justification that they did as much as their opponent to merit a last-16 spot. It's the first time they've reached the World Cup knockouts and not made it to at least the semifinals. 

So it's Portugal who advance, having secured their eighth win in 11 meetings with Croatia. Roberto Martínez's men will now head to Dallas, where they'll face the Spaniards for a berth in the quarterfinals. Narrative klaxon: Martínez comes up against his home country.

That's all from me - thank for reading. Bye!

William Allen
106

Croatia goal disallowed!

Pasalic is beyond the last man when the ball is turned into his path by Portugal's Veiga, via a flick-on by Matanovic. The first question is whether Matanovic definitely touched it - and the snickometer confirms he did. Then there's also the issue of whether Veiga was in control of the touch he got on it. If he was, Pasalic is onside. If he wasn't, Pasalic is off.

Eskas has a look at it, and decides that, no, Veiga didn't deliberately play that ball. Matanovic's header pinged off Veiga's bonce at too fast a pace - so the Portugal defender is deemed not to have played Pasalic on. Goal ruled out!

Also of crucial importance is that Pasalic was beyond the last man when Matanovic got his touch to the ball.

I don't know if that explanation makes any sense, sorry. It's all quite frantic.

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104

Espen Eskas is going to have a look at it...

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103

Goal! Portugal 2-2 Croatia - Gvardiol levels!

Unbelievable.

Perisic delivers form the left, before Pasalic touches it across the six-yard box. It falls to Gvardiol, who turns it past Costa and into the net!

Hmmm. But this might be deemed offside...

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102

Ronaldo is in full coach mode over on the touchline.

At the Croatia end, Conçeicao surges forward, before cutting inside. Can he finish it here?

Nope. He fires off target.

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101

Back come Croatia. Modric chases after a low ball into the right-hand side of the box, but can't reach it. It runs out for a Portugal goal-kick.

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99

Modric delivers to the near post, into a melée of bodies.

But the ball bounces behind, and it will be a goal-kick. Which Costa will take his sweet time about taking.

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98

Corner to Croatia. They don't have many chances left. This is one of them.

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97

Perisic is booked after tussling with Dias.

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95

What a game. Wonderful second half.

Croatia still have five minutes to save themselves.

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94

Goal! Portugal 2-1 Croatia - Ramos in stoppage time!

Oh, I say. What drama! Gonçalo Ramos heads in for Portugal, and the Seleçao have surely won it!

From the left, Leao whips over another excellent cross. Ramos rises highest to meet it, before powering a header high into Livakovic's net!

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93

From the left, Mendes scuttles forward and into the Croatia box. Sutalo is there to meet him, before Mendes falls to the turf. Espen Eskas says: no, sir. Not a penalty.

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92

Croatia make a change: Vlasic is off, with Gvardiol on.

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90

Ten minutes of time added on.

Can someone find a winner?

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88

Oh, wow. Now Croatia should be ahead.

From the right, Perisic delivers into the Portugal area, right onto the head of Pasalic. He meets it at pace, with only Costa to beat - but can't find the target! What an opportunity.

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86

Chance for Veiga! From the right, Mendes arrows his corner-kick delivery right onto Veiga's head; he's such an aerial threat from corners.

The defender directs his header downwards with plenty of power behind it... but it flashes past the far post!

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85

Back come Portugal, working it to Conçeicao out on the right. He scampers towards the byline, before trying to cut it back into the danger area, with men waiting. It's cut out, and Portugal have a corner.

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84

From the left, Leao clips an inswining cross over to the back post, where Conçeicao jumps. He could do with being a couple of inches taller, though; it flies over his head, and out for a goal-kick.

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81

Ronaldo's evening - and, who knows, maybe his international career? - is at an end. He's replaced by Rúben Neves.

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80

You really cannot take your eyes off this second half. Suddenly, Petar Sucic is streaking clear of the Portugal defense, before finishing low past Costa.

He runs off in celebration... but is flagged offside! And, after a long old VAR check, a tight decision is upheld.

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77

They may not have taken any of the chances they've just created, but this is a fantastic reaction from Croatia to conceding that leveller.

It's been a wonderful second half.

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76

It's frantic stuff here. Again Croatia force Costa into heroics.

Pulling the ball down at the back post, Matanovic twists and turns - before lashing the ball at goal from the angle.

But Costa dances off his line to narrow the angle and parry!

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75

That's fabulous from both Kovacic and Costa.

First, Kovacic scampers towards the Portugal box, before sending a low shot towards goal from 20 yards or so out. Costa gets across to turn it against the post!

A moment later, he denies Kovacic again: receiving from the right wing, the midfielder turns it goalwards, but Costa tips it over!

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72

We're back underway in Toronto, where Croatia have made a change. Mario Pasalic is on for Baturina.

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69

So, Ronaldo has finally scored in a World Cup knockout game, taking his career total to 11 goals in the tournament.

He moves joint-ninthon the list of the World Cup's all-time leading marksmen, I make it. Alongside Hungary's Sándor Kocsis and (West) Germany's Jürgen Klinsmann.

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68

And we go straight into the hydration break.

What a final period we have in prospect. (Sorry, I refuse to refer to it as a ‘quarter’.)

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67

Goal! Portugal 1-1 Croatia - Ronaldo levels from the spot!

Cool as you like, Ronaldo strokes it down the middle, as Livakovic hurls himself to his right.

All square in Toronto!

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66

Penalty given!

Ronaldo to take.

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64

Oh, hello. Espen Eskas is being called over to the pitchside monitor to have a look at a possible penalty for Portugal!

The incident in question is a possible foul by Vlasic on Veiga as a Portugal corner came into the box.

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63

FOUR changes for Portugal. Gonçalo Ramos, Bernardo Silva, Semedo and Conceiçao are on. Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Cancelo and Neto are off.

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60

That would have been Ronaldo's first ever goal in a World Cup knockout game.

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59

The ball is in the net again - and the flag is up again! This second half has been bonkers. It's fantastic play by Cristiano Ronaldo, but it will go unrewarded.

Ronaldo brings a long ball down inside the Croatia box, before clipping a perfect finish past Livakovic. He wheels away in glee... but is quickly called offside.

A VAR check confirms the decision.

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58

It's end-to-end stuff. Having almost conceded an equaliser, Croatia almost score a second.

When the ball is played to Sucic inside the box, he thrashes a shot at goal - but Costa beats it out!

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57

Oh, wow. Portugal are so close to a leveller.

Receiving the ball on the left, Leao cuts inside and lets fly. He thumps an absolute howitzer of an effort towards Livakovic's goal - and it thuds back off the bar!

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56

Goa.... no! Croatia certainly have the proverbial tails up now, and for a moment they think they've got a second.

Vlasic is released into space inside the Portugal box, before his low ball into the middle is turned into the net. But the flag is up, and Vlasic was indeed a good couple of yards offside when he received the ball.

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54

Well. What response do Portugal have to that? They've dominated much of this game - the first half, at least - but find themselves behind.

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53

Goal! Portugal 0-1 Croatia - Perisic pings it in!

Portugal have failed to turn their dominance into goals - and now they've been punished. 

On the right, Stanisic clips a ball into the box, finding Perisic at the back post. He takes one touch to control, before firing low into the net!

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51

After that Kovacic chance, Portugal set themselves back up inside the Croatia half, keeping the ball for a good little while.

Finally, Vitinha tries to carry the ball into the Croatia box, wriggling in between a gaggle of dark blue shirts. He loses it.

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47

Having survived that Mendes forward foray, Croatia go on the attack - and create their best chance!

Sucic crosses from the right, but Portugal clear. The Croats come back at the Seleçao, however - and when the ball pops loose inside the left-hand channel, Kovacic bursts into the Portuguese box.

He holds off two men to jink into shooting space inside the area, with only Costa to beat. Wrapping his left boot around the ball, he tries to squeeze a shot inside Costa's near post, but only just gets his shot wrong! It flies into the side-netting!

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46

Right away, Mendes surges into the Croatia box, apparently in space to shoot.

But he doesn't shoot: he tries to slip a square ball into Ronaldo, but doesn't find him. Definitely should have been more selfish there.

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Peeeep! We're back underway in Toronto.

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Ante Budimir has been hooked, with Igor Matanovic on in his stead.

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Second half imminent

The players are now coming back out at BMO Field, and Croatia are making a change.

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At a glance: the first-half stats

assists
4
3
red cards
0
0
Yellow cards
1
0
Contested balls where possession is lost
19
19
fouls committed
5
6
fouls won
6
5
Offsides
0
1
possession
68.6
31.4
Ball recoveries
16
13
disparos
5
2
William Allen

Pongracic pain

By the way, I forgot to mention one important detail about that Ronaldo free-kick that hit the wall. When I said ‘wall’, what I really should have said was ‘Pongragic's knackers’. Ooof.

William Allen
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi: when could we see Portugal vs Argentina in the 2026 World Cup?

Let me also point you in the direction of this piece by AS USA's Calum Roche, who looks at the possibility of one final Messi vs Ronaldo in North America.

William Allen
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s sister reveals CR7 retirement plans: ‘It’s the Last Dance’

Some half-time reading for you, and it's in relation to the news I mentioned before kickoff. Cristiano Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, has told an interview that her brother is likely to retire from international soccer after the World Cup.

Check out the full story, courtesy of my colleagues Aritz Gabilondo and William Gittins.

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HT

Peeep peeep peeep! It remains goalless in Toronto, where Portugal have very much carried the initiative.

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49

Croatia pop the ball about just inside the Portugal half. Can they grab the opener right at the end of the first half?

Nope. Portugal win it back, and that'll be that for the first half.

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47

Well, that's an eminently presentable chance for Nuno Mendes!

From the left, Neto fires a cross into the Croat box. It's headed away from the far post - but only as far as Mendes. 

He watches the ball drop onto his boot, but then watches his shot fly well over! An opportunity spurned.

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45

There will be four minutes of time added on in Toronto.

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Modric and Ronaldo make history

Per the soccer stats guru Mister Chip, this is the first time that two men with 200-plus caps have faced off in international soccer.

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42

For pretty much the first time, Croatia push Portugal back, knocking the ball about with the Portuguese defense set on the edge of its box.

Finally, Sucic puts his head down and tries to barrel his way into the Portuguese box, but is dispossessed.

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40

From the left, Bruno plops a corner-kick deliver into the middle. Veiga is waiting, but can't connect.

Portugal come again, working it left to Mendes. He crosses, but his delivery is headed away.

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39

Portugal have, without doubt, been the better side in this first half. But they have nothing to show for that superiority, and the clock is ticking closer and closer to half time.

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37

Croatia come forward again, finding Modric on the right flank. But Mendes wins it back again.

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35

Croatia's forward forays are somewhat sporadic in nature - but they manage one now.

Charging up the field in the left-hand channel, Kovacic looks up and clips an outside-of-the-boot ball inwards, towards Budimir at the tip of the Croatian attack.

There's Mr. Mendes, though. He steps across to steal the ball and clear the danger.

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32

That's excellent hussle from Nuno Mendes. He wins it back on the edge of the Croatia area, before slipping it left to Bruno.

Twice Bruno thwacks a low ball into the middle, but twice it's repelled. Mendes really is an awfully good footballer, isn't he.

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30

Portugal, though, respond by whipping in yet another dangerous cross.

From the left, Mendes plays an inch-perfect diagonal into Cancelo's run forward on the opposite flank. From there, Cancelo pings an inswinger into the area, with Bruno and Ronaldo both busting a gut to get a touch to it.

Neither manages to, but that was fine attacking play.

William Allen
29

Having had the chance for a three-minute exchange of views on the touchline, Croatia come back out and put together their longest spell of possession so far.

It's finally worked right to Vlasic, who has space to run into... but is offside.

William Allen
TORONTO (Canada), 03/07/2026.- Josip Stanisic of Croatia (L), Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (2-L), Dominik Livakovic of Croatia (2-R), and Josip Sutalo of Croatia (R) in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Portugal against Croatia, in Toronto, Canada, 02 July 2026. (Croacia) EFE/EPA/EDUARDO LIMA

EDUARDO LIMA / EFE

Josip Stanisic of Croatia (L), Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (2-L), Dominik Livakovic of Croatia (2-R), and Josip Sutalo of Croatia (R) in action.

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27

Peeep! Having quenched their thirst, the teams are back out and playing again.

William Allen
How do hydration breaks work during the 2026 World Cup and how long do they last?

You probably don't need it at this point, but nonetheless: here, courtesy of my colleague Roddy Cons, is the full lowdown on the World Cup hydration break.

William Allen
24

Before we do stop for refreshments, Pongracic has to look alive to keep out another threatening cross into the box.

From the left, Mendes delivers - but the Croatia defender gets it behind.

The corner comes to nought, and it's time for drinks.

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23

The question now, in the age of the mid-half drinks break, is: can Portugal keep up this momentum after the stoppage?

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22

Portugal continue to push Croatia back.

From the right, Cancelo cuts back onto his left, before sending in a cross which, in truth, is poorly hit. Croatia deal with it easily enough.

But right away, it's Portugal ball once more.

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20

The ball has not left the Croatia half for a good couple of minutes now. Portugal certainly do look on it so far.

William Allen
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Dylan Martinez / Dylan Martinez / REUTERS

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the first half in Toronto.

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18

There's the first yellow card. Rúben Dias goes into Mr Eskas's notebook, for a foul on Budimir.

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17

At the other end, Mendes fizzes a corner kick into the middle, where Veiga meets it. His header is powerful enough, but isn't well-directed enough. It flies over the bar.

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15

Baturina scampers forward down the Croatia left, but finds his way forward blocked.

He checks back, and plays it inside. It's worked to Modric, who looks up and pings a raking, crossfield ball over to the right wing. It's overhit, though. It flies out of play.

William Allen
13

Ronaldo gets plenty of welly behind it, but this one won't be his first ever goal in a World Cup knockout tie.

He thunders it right at the Croatia wall. 

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12

Back come Portugal, winning a free-kick in shooting territory.

Ronaldo to take...

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10

Portugal have done most of the attacking so far, but that's better from Croatia.

Stanisic gets forward down the right, before delivering a ball into the middle. It's right on Budimir's head - but he nods over!

William Allen

Fantastic forties

Cristiano Ronaldo, by the way, is the oldest player ever to play in a knockout-stage game at a men's World Cup.

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8

Tell you what, Portugal are looking decent so far. On the right wing, Neto drops a shoulder and cuts inside, before clipping a left-footed ball into the box.

It ends up flying behind for a goal-kick, but it was hit with plenty of menace.

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7

Yep, Leao looks like he's in the mood.

Having already created one chance, he now whips in a wicked cross into the danger area. It doesn't find a green and white shirt this time, but still. A lively start from Leao.

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5

Right away, Portugal also create an opening - and it's a very good one indeed!

On the left, Mendes pings a perfect little ball into space for Leao to chase. 

Chase it he does. And when he reaches it, close to the byline, he zips a fine cutback into the Croatia box, finding Bruno Fernandes on the penalty spot.

Fernandes turns its goalwards first time, but Livakovic saves!

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4

The first shot is chalked up in Croatia's favor.

Receiving the ball on the edge of the Portugal box, Budimir gets it out of his feet and strikes - but it's too close to Costa. And tamely hit.

William Allen
3

No Josko Gvardiol in this Croatia lineup, despite apparently being fit to play.

A strange one. This is, after all, a player who has been linked with Real Madrid in recent times.

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2

Portugal begin on the front foot, working it right to Pedro Neto.

Neto can't conjure up a ball into the box, though, and Croatia bring it clear.

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Peeeep! We're underway in Toronto.

Both teams are wearing their change kits, incidentally. I get disproportionately irate when this happens, I must confess. Hey ho.

William Allen

Who is the VAR?

Espen Eskas will be assisted in the VAR booth by Jarred Gillet, by the way. He's technically Australian, but represents the English Football Association.

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Out come the teams!

Led out by Messrs Modric and Ronaldo, here come the two sets of players.

It's anthem time: Portugal first. I'm rather a fan of this one, I must say.

William Allen

Who is the referee?

Norway's Espen Eskas will be the man in the middle in Toronto.

William Allen

What the coaches said: Zlatko Dalic

Midfield tussle:

"I believe this is going to be ​a battle of midfielders. Portugal have excellent players in the midfield. ⁠They are tactically very good. In this match each error will be ​punished.”

(Quote per Reuters)

Zlatko Dalic, Croatia head coach

Portugal: 

"It is a ⁠team that wants to possess the ball at all times. This team has few weaknesses and can ​at all time cause risk and danger."

(Quote per Reuters)

Zlatko Dalic, Croatia head coach

What the coaches said: Roberto Martínez

New phase of the tournament:

"A second World Cup starts for us. A good preparation for this was important. That preparation was the first three games in the group stage. We did some things well, other things we found tougher.”

Roberto Martínez, Portugal head coach

Croatia:

"They're a team we know very well. They also know what our strengths are, and the talent we have. So it’ll be a hard-fought game, with the importance of carrying the opportunity to keep advancing in the World Cup.” 

Roberto Martínez, Portugal head coach
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - France v Sweden - New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 30, 2026 France's Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring their second goal with Kylian Mbappe IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Vincent Carchietta     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

VINCENT CARCHIETTA / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

France the runaway favorites

France, by the way, are now overwhelmingly the frontrunners, both for Opta and the bookmakers

After the French demolished Sweden in the round of 32, Opta gives Les Bleus a 29.33% chance of winning a third World Cup - well ahead of Argentina on 14.62%, and Spain on 14.48%.

The bookies, meanwhile, haveFrance as the +190 favorites, ahead of Argentina on +425 and Spain on +600.

William Allen

Where do Portugal and Croatia stand among the World Cup contenders?

Overall, Opta rate Portugal as sixth favorites for the trophy, with a 4.38% chance of title success.

Despite reaching their recent World Cup feats, Croatia are down in 15th, with only 0.58% probability of lifting the trophy.

William Allen

Opta opts for Portugal

The soccer stats experts Opta are backing Portugal to maintain their good record against the Croats today.

Opta's 'supercomputer’ is giving the Portuguese a 56.2% chance of victory in 90 minutes, and a 68.68% probability of reaching the last 16, either before or after extra time (and, potentially, penalties).

Croatia’s chance of a win inside 90 minutes is rated back at 19.5%.

William Allen
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 02: Portugal fan cheers before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario.   Buda Mendes/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Buda Mendes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

BUDA MENDES / Getty Images via AFP

Portugal fans cheer for their team at BMO Field, as the World Cup clash nears kickoff.

William Allen

Portugal two-for-two over Croatia in major tournaments

Although the teams haven't met before at the World Cup, that doesn't mean they haven't crossed paths in major-tournament play.

There have been two meetings at the European Championship, with Portugal winning both.

At Euro '96, the Seleçao eased to a 3-0 group-stage victory. Twenty years on, the Portuguese were 1-0 extra-time winners in the last 16 in 2016, on their way to lifting their first ever European title.

William Allen

What is Portugal and Croatia's head-to-head record?

Portugal and Croatia have met 10 times in all competitions - and the Seleçao has very much had the upper hand.

The Croats have beaten Portugal only the once, in a friendly in June 2024, while the Portuguese have won seven of the teams' meetings. There have been two draws.

William Allen
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Fans hold up a welcome to Toronto sign for Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Croatia's Luka Modric inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Dylan Martinez / REUTERS

Fans at BMO Field hold up a "welcome to Toronto" sign for Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Croatia's Luka Modric.

William Allen

Ronaldo's "last dance"?

Incidentally, it appears that Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to call time on his Portugal career after this summer's tournament.

His sister, Katia, is reported to have told SportTV: “Enjoy it while it lasts. It's ending soon. The info I have, from a reliable source… this is his last dance.”

William Allen

Modric, Ronaldo move up World Cup appearances list

As he wins his 202nd Croatia cap, Luka Modric will also go joint-fifth in the men's World Cup’s all-time appearances list. He'll pull level with Manuel Neuer and Paolo Maldini on 23 tournament games.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, is set to make his 26th World Cup appearance, leapfrogging Germany's Lothar Matthäus into second. Argentina’s Lionel Messi leads the list, with 29 games as things stand.

William Allen

Modric won't be the most capped player on the field today, though.  That's because one of the three men that surpass the Croat's appearances haul is Cristiano Ronaldo, the male game's most capped individual ever.

Ronaldo will be playing for Portugal for the 232nd time. Again: ridiculous numbers.

William Allen
PHILADELPHIA (United States), 28/06/2026.- Luka Modric of Croatia looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Croatia against Ghana, in Philadelphia, USA, 27 June 2026. (Croacia, Filadelfia) EFE/EPA/WILL OLIVER

WILL OLIVER / EFE

Modric adds to huge Croatia cap haul

A midfield master who was at the heart of those 2018 and 2022 runs, Luka Modric will be winning his 202nd Croatia cap today. That is, frankly, ridiculous.

The former Real Madrid star us only behind three men on the worldwide list of international soccer's all-time highest appearance makers.

William Allen

World Cup specialists

In all, Croatia have registered two semifinal finishes and a silver medal in just three decades since they first entered the men's World Cup.

It really is quite something, given this is a country with a population of around four million. Look away, Scotland fans - this is Croatia's World Cup record in full:

1998: third place
2002: group stage
2006: group stage
2010: DNQ
2014: group stage
2018: runners-up
2022: third place

William Allen

Can Croatia go deep again?

Having advanced from Group L, Croatia are in the knockout stages for the third time in their last five World Cup appearances.

On all three previous occasions that they reached the knockouts, they made it to at least the semifinals.

That, of course, includes a final appearance in 2018, followed by a second consecutive last-four finish four years ago.

William Allen
TORONTO (Canada), 02/07/2026.- Luka Modric of Croatia inspects the pitch ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Portugal against Croatia, in Toronto, Canada, 02 July 2026. (Croacia) EFE/EPA/EDUARDO LIMA

EDUARDO LIMA / EFE

Luka takes a look at the field

Croatia's Luka Modric walks the BMO Field turf ahead of kickoff in Canada.

William Allen

Croatia lineup confirmed

Zlatko Dalic's team is also up. The Croats start thusly: Livakovic, Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, Vlasic, Sucic, Baturina, Budimir.

No changes to the team that beat Ghana in the final round of group-stage games. 

William Allen

Portugal lineup confirmed

Roberto Martínez has named his XI. It is: Costa, Cancelo, Veiga, Dias, Mendes, J. Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes, Neto, Leao, Ronaldo.

Martínez makes two changes to the team that began the matchday-three draw with Colombia. Joao Neves is back alongside Vitinha in the midfield, while Rafa Leao gets the nod over Joao Felix in attack.

William Allen

At a glance: Croatia's recent form

The Vatreni's last five results:

Jun. 27: Croatia 2-1 Ghana, World Cup
Jun. 24: Panama 0-1 Croatia, World Cup
Jun. 17: England 4-2 Croatia, World Cup
Jun. 7: Croatia 2-1 Slovenia, friendly
Jun. 2: Croatia 0-2 Belgium, friendly

William Allen

How did Croatia reach the round of 32?

Like Portugal, Croatia also finished second in their group.

The Vatreni opened up Group L with a 4-2 defeat to England, but recovered to record consecutive wins.

At today's venue, Ante Budimir's second-half strike gave the Croats a 1-0 win over Panama on matchday two. Then, in their final group game, Croatia leapfrogged Ghana into second spot with a 2-1 triumph, thanks to goals by Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic.

group 12TMPWDL
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Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

Jeenah Moon / REUTERS

Cristiano checks in

Cristiano Ronaldo arriving at BMO Field a short while ago, as Portugal prepare to take on Croatia in Toronto.

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Portuguese party in Toronto

Roberto Martínez's players will also be backed by some pretty vocal Portuguese support, by the looks of things.

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Players to carry Jota with them

As they have been since this World Cup began, the Portugal players will be wearing special wristbands honoring Diogo Jota's memory.

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"Diogo Jota's game"

Speaking to reporters after Portugal's draw with Colombia, Roberto Martínez said of the anniversary: “Every day is difficult. When you are training, there are always moments that Diogo Jota comes back into our memory.”

Martínez added: "I would say that [the anniversary] is a little bit of a celebration. I think we need to honor Diogo Jota. I think it's a moment to cherish.

"Everything we started in this team started with him, we won the Nations League with him, he's probably our sun and light and the biggest stimulation that we have. We want to win the World Cup for him.

“The anniversary is just a moment that makes the game Diogo Jota’s game.”

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MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 08: Diogo Jota of Portugal and Ruben Neves pose for a photograph with the UEFA Nations League trophy after his team's victory in the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Maja Hitij - UEFA / UEFA via Getty Images

Today’s game is one that carries huge emotional significance for Portugal: It comes a day before the first anniversary of the death of Liverpool and Seleçao star Diogo Jota.

On July 3, 2025, Jota and his brother, André Silva, were killed in a car crash in Spain, as they travelled to Liverpool so the forward could begin preseason training with the Reds.

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Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Portugal coach Roberto Martinez arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

Jeenah Moon / REUTERS

Portugal boss Roberto Martínez arrives at BMO Field ahead of kickoff.

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At a glance: Portugal's recent form

The Seleção's last five results 

Jun. 27: Colombia 0-0 Portugal, World Cup
Jun. 23: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan, World Cup
Jun. 17: Portugal 1-1 DR Congo, World Cup
Jun. 10: Portugal 2-1 Nigeria, friendly
Jun. 6: Portugal 2-1 Chile, friendly

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Ronnie and Robbie share unwanted record

In eight knockout-stage appearances for Portugal, Ronaldo has not only failed to score, but hasn't even registered an assist.

Per Opta, Ronaldo's 29 shots without scoring in a World Cup knockout game are the joint most by any player on record since 1966. He shares that mark with a fellow former Real Madrid favorite, Brazil’s Roberto Carlos.

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But there's a major gap on CR7's World Cup resumé

...aside from the obvious, trophy-shaped hole in his CV, that is.

All of Ronaldo's World Cup goals have come in the group stage. He's yet to find the net once in the knockouts.

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Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Portugal Training - Centennial Park, Toronto, Canada - July 1, 2026 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kevin Sousa

KEVIN SOUSA / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Ronaldo surpasses Eusébio

That 2006 campaign was, of course, the first of Cristiano Ronaldo’s joint-record six World Cups.

Now 41, he became the first player to score at six separate finals when the Portuguese thumped Uzbekistan on matchday two.

Ronaldo's double against the Uzbeks also took him past the great Eusébio as Portugal’s highest ever scorer at men’s World Cups. The Al-Nassr forward now has a career total of 10 tournament goals.

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Portugal set for another last-16 date?

Unimpressive though they may have been, Portugal are now into the knockout rounds for the fifth time in the last six men's World Cups.

They're chasing last-16 qualification for the third straight tournament

In eight men's World Cup campaigns so far, Portugal’s best performance came in 1966 and 2006, when they were beaten semifinalists.

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Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo runs with the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Colombia and Portugal at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 27, 2026.  (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP

Portugal held twice in Group K

On matchday one, Portugal produced a hugely disappointing display against DR Congo: Despite a dream start in Houston - where Joao Neves headed home inside the first few minutes - the Portuguese were held to a 1-1 draw.

Although the Seleçao then responded by thumping Uzbekistan 5-0, a second stalemate followed on matchday three, this time against the Colombians. That draw ensured Los Cafeterias topped Group K ahead of Roberto Martínez’s side.

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How did Portugal qualify for the last 32?

What with that stacked midfield and everything, Portugal came into this World Cup as one of the major favorites. But they certainly haven't convinced so far. 

Roberto Martínez's men had to settle for second place in Group K, behind Colombia, after winning only one of their first-round games:

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World Cup last-16 matchups: as it stands

July 4:

Canada vs Morocco
Paraguay vs France

July 5:

Brazil vs Norway
Mexico vs England

July 6:

Portugal/Croatia vs Spain
United States vs Belgium

July 7:

Argentina/Cape Verde vs Australia/Egypt
Switzerland/Algeria vs Colombia/Ghana
 

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Who has qualified for the round of 16?

Following Spain's win over Austria, we now have 11 confirmed last-16 teams, with two more to follow today.

After Portugal and Croatia face off in Toronto, Canada then plays host to another round-of-32 clash, as Switzerland and Algeria meet in Vancouver. That game kicks off at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT.

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Porro celebrations goal

Lisi Niesner / REUTERS

Spain await after ousting Austrians

The final whistle has just gone in L.A., where Spain have swept past Austria to reach the round of 16

Mikel Oyarzabal scored two, either side of a goal for Pedro Porro, as the European champions eased Das Team aside.

La Roja now move on to Dallas, where they'll play Portugal or Croatia next Monday, July 6.

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What time is kickof?

Toronto's BMO Field - where Croatia beat Panama in their second group game - is the setting for this evening's round-of-32 tie. 

Kickoff in Canada is in just about two hours' time: at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. We'll have team news for you just as soon as it drops.

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Portugal vs Croatia: welcome!

Hello! In the second of two all-European clashes today, Portugal and Croatia meet for the first time ever at a men's World Cup.

It’s an exceedingly appetising game whose winners, we now know, will face Spain in the last 16. In today's opening Old Continent matchup - a clash that has just finished - the Spaniards saw off Austria in Los Angeles.

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