Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Portugal vs Croatia brings two seasoned World Cup sides to BMO Field in Toronto on Thursday, with a Round of 16 place against Spain or Austria waiting for the winner.
Portugal enter the Round of 32 as favourites after finishing second in Group K, where Cristiano Ronaldo became the nation’s all-time World Cup top scorer during a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. Croatia also finished second in Group L after responding to a 4-2 defeat against England with narrow wins over Panama and Ghana.
For more World Cup features, read Sidny Lopes Cabral Cape Verde Interview: Facing Messi, Racism And The 1% Dream, while official match information is available through the FIFA World Cup 2026 page.
Ronaldo Leads Portugal Attack
Roberto Martinez is expected to keep Portugal in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Diogo Costa in goal and Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga and Nuno Mendes across defence.
Vitinha and Joao Neves should anchor midfield, giving Bruno Fernandes space to operate behind Ronaldo. Pedro Neto and Joao Felix are expected to start wide, offering pace around Croatia’s experienced back line.
Portugal have won seven of their 10 previous meetings with Croatia. They also beat Croatia at the European Championship in 1996 and 2016, giving this fixture another layer of history.
Croatia Trust Experience Again
Zlatko Dalic is also expected to stay with a 4-2-3-1 shape, built around Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic in midfield. Dominik Livakovic should start in goal, with Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josip Sutalo and Ivan Perisic in defence.
Nikola Vlasic, Petar Sucic and Martin Baturina are projected to support Ante Budimir in attack. Luka Vuskovic, now with Brighton and Hove Albion, is likely to begin on the bench again.
For Modric, like Ronaldo, this could be a final World Cup appearance if Croatia fall short. That gives the match a sharp emotional edge, but Portugal’s greater attacking depth makes them the stronger pick.
Prediction: Portugal 2-1 Croatia.
