Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal face Luka Modrić and Croatia on Thursday, July 2, at BMO Field in Toronto — two nations whose best players are in their 40s, yet still on the field in a World Cup knockout match, and with the history between these sides firmly in Portugal’s favor.
Portugal came through Group K as runners-up with five points — one win, two draws — scoring six goals and conceding one. Their most memorable moment came in a 5-0 hammering of Uzbekistan, when Ronaldo scored a brace to become the first player ever to score in six different FIFA World Cups. He now has 10 World Cup goals across six tournaments. Croatia finished second in Group L with six points, two wins and one loss, scoring five goals and conceding five.
Ronaldo at 41 and the Record That Matters
Ronaldo turns 42 in February 2027. This World Cup is, in all likelihood, his last. The record he broke against Uzbekistan — scoring in six different World Cups — may stand for a generation. Whether his body can carry him through a knockout run is a different question. Portugal have the depth to win without him needing to lead the attack every minute, but the tournament has been built around his narrative and they will not be pulling him out.
Bruno Fernandes and the rest of the Portugal midfield have been efficient and controlled. Their defense has been one of the stingiest in the tournament — one goal conceded in three group games is a strong return.
Croatia and Modrić’s Final World Cup
Luka Modrić is 40, and this is almost certainly his last major tournament. He delivered a vintage performance against Ghana, assisting Nikola Vlasic’s match-winner in Croatia’s 2-1 win. He has not scored yet but his presence in midfield still shapes how Croatia play and how opponents have to close him down.
Croatia’s problem is their defensive record: five goals conceded in three group games suggests vulnerability against a Portugal attack that has been scoring freely. In a match of this closeness, Modrić can influence things, but Portugal’s squad depth and defensive solidity give them the edge.
Historical Record and What Toronto Brings
Portugal have won six, drawn one, and lost one against Croatia in all competitions since 2005. Their last meeting was a 4-1 Portugal win in the UEFA Nations League in 2020. The historical weight is on Portugal’s side. Toronto’s BMO Field is a tight stadium by World Cup standards — capacity around 30,000 — and the crowd will be a genuine mix of the Portuguese and Croatian diaspora communities in Canada’s largest city.
Portugal vs Croatia, July 2 at 7pm ET — two aging legends in what may be their final World Cup knockout match, with Portugal’s superior squad depth making them the likely but not guaranteed winner.
FYI (keeping you in the loop)
What record did Cristiano Ronaldo break at the 2026 World Cup?
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to score in six different FIFA World Cups when he scored a brace against Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup. He now has 10 career World Cup goals across tournaments from 2006 to 2026.
References
CBC Sports. (2026). Ronaldo, Portugal to face Croatia in Toronto in World Cup knockout match after draw with Colombia. Published June 28, 2026.
TSN. (2026). Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, Luka Modric and Croatia to play Round of 32 match in Toronto on July 2. Published June 2026.
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