FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in Portugal v Croatia 🇵🇹🇭🇷

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Padraig Whelan·02 de julho de 2026

FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in Portugal v Croatia 🇵🇹🇭🇷

The FIFA World Cup 26™ last 32 action has thrown up another all-European affair as Portugal meet Croatia on Thursday.

This is everything you need to know about this clash at Toronto Stadium.

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Who is playing today? 👀

Portugal0

Croácia0

23'

More places in the last 16 are up for grabs in Canada as Portugal and Croatia clash after both advancing as group runners-up.

Roberto Martínez's side progressed as draws against Congo DR and Colombia bookended a thrashing of Uzbekistan, spearheaded by talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, who had an Attacking Score of 8.20 in the FIFA Power Rankings - powered by Aramco thanks to scoring a brace in the 5-0 win.

Meanwhile, Croatia rebounded from a 4-2 loss to England in their opener by defeating Panama and Ghana 1-0 and 2-1 respectively to book their place in the knockout stage.

Players to watch 🔥

Portugal, of course, aren't only about their captain and Bruno Fernandes' Creativity Score of 8.40 in the aforementioned Uzbekistan one was extremely impressive, earned thanks to an assist and continually progressive play.

Midfield colleague Vitinha completed 270 passes in the group stage which were the most of any Portuguese player in that phase of a World Cup™, while his 100% pass completion rate (54/54) against Colombia are the joint-most recorded by any midfielder in the competition without misplacing one.

For Croatia, the evergreen Luka Modrić (who had a Creativity Score of 7.11 in their most recent outing) is set for his 23rd FIFA World Cup™ appearance which will see him move level with Paolo Maldini for the fifth most in tournament history.

As a result of his crucial strike against Ghana, Petar Sučić topped all forwards with an Attacking Score of 8.25, with Nikola Vlašić just behind on 8.20 and both will play a big part behind Ante Budimir, who had an Attacking Score of 8.30 thanks to his vital winner against Panama.

Must-watch video 🎥

An emotional tribute from the Portuguese players ahead of their training session for this contest.

Fun facts 📊

Portugal have lost just one of their last 10 meetings with Croatia in all competitions, winning seven and drawing two
Cristiano Ronaldo will play in his ninth FIFA World Cup™ knockout fixture, having failed to score in any of the previous eight and his 29 attempts are the joint-most of any player since 1996 without netting along with Roberto Carlos of Brazil
This is the fourth time Croatia have reached the World Cup™ knockout stage and they have never been eliminated in the first round before