Croatia and Portugal brace for World Cup battle as Ronaldo and Modric chase one more run

Paths to the knockout stage

Croatia recovered from an opening 4-2 loss to England, edging Panama 1-0 and Ghana 2-1 to finish second in Group L with six points. Portugal managed one win and two draws in Group K: a 1-1 stalemate with DR Congo, a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan and a 0-0 draw with Colombia. That left them on five points, setting up a tougher path through the bracket.

Midfield duel, not just star power

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic pushed back against the narrative of a Modric-versus-Ronaldo sideshow.

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.

Croatia’s midfield relies on 40-year-old captain Luka Modric alongside Martin Baturina and Petar Sucic, while Portugal counters with Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes.

Ageing icons in the spotlight

Both Cristiano Ronaldo (41) and Luka Modric (40) are playing with the shadow of a final World Cup farewell hanging over them. Ronaldo became the first player to score at six World Cups with his double against Uzbekistan, yet he failed to find the net in the other two group games. Modric struggled in the tournament opener but has since found his rhythm. Outgoing Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended his star forward’s fitness.

There is not an issue physically or mentally for Cristiano in today’s game to play the 90 minutes.

What comes next

The winner at Toronto’s BMO Field advances to a round-of-16 tie against either Spain or Austria. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic offered a diplomatic view of the two veterans.

We have two major players who have done great work. I am convinced Luka will continue his path onwards. I can only speak positively about both of them.

For one of the game’s all-time greats, the World Cup curtain will fall in Canada.

Croatia

6

Portugal

5

Croatia

6 points

Portugal

5 points