The round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia is not just any match. It is a duel loaded with history, statistics and, above all, symbolism. This Thursday, at BMO Field in Toronto, two European teams will face each other with the weight of their past and with the possibility that this will be their last game in World Cups of two figures: Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić.
If there is an opponent that favors the Portuguese team, it is Croatia. The Portuguese team maintains an impeccable streak in official matches against the Balkans, without losing in six matches.
More than a statistic, this trend has become a true talisman for Portugal. Every time they eliminated Croatia in decisive instances, they ended up winning a title.
The most memorable example occurred in the 2016 Euro Cup. In that tournament, Portugal reached the round of 16 with doubts, but eliminated Croatia in extra time with a goal from Ricardo Quaresma. That victory not only meant passage to the next round, but also marked the beginning of the road to the first European title in its history.
Years later, history repeated itself. In the Nations LeagueIn 2024, the Portuguese and Croatians faced each other again and the Portuguese team won again. At the end of the tournament, Portugal lifted the trophy after beating Spain in the final. Another championship, Croatia on the road again and another title for Portugal.
In this World Cup, Portugal has not shown its best version. They had one victory and two draws in the group stage, including a setback against Colombia, which left doubts about their performance.
Croatia, for its part, also advanced as second in its group, with a single defeat against England. This is a competitive team, with experience and a generation that has remained among the best in European football for several years.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, a last dance?
Beyond the tactical aspect, the match has a strong emotional component. Everything indicates that this The World Cup could be the last for Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, and Luka Modrić, two references in world football in recent decades.
Ronaldo, who remains Portugal’s main offensive reference despite his age, maintains a striking statistic: he has never lost against Croatia. In Toronto he will seek to preserve that mark and bring his team closer to the goal of winning its first world title.
On the other side, Modrić leads a Croatia that has experienced the most successful stage in its recent history, with indelible memories, such as the runner-up finish in the 2018 World Cup. Only one will continue in the race. For the other, the final whistle could mark the definitive closure of their history in the World Cups.
Although the record clearly favors Portugal, Croatia did achieve a victory. It was in 2024, in a friendly match played in Lisbon, where they won 2-1.
However, this result has an important nuance: Cristiano Ronaldo did not play in that match. For this reason, the Portuguese figure is still unaware of the defeat against the chess team.
A match with history and destiny
The clash in Toronto will not only define a qualifier for the round of 16. It will also bring into play a backstory, statistics and emotions.
Portugal clings to its Croatian talisman and to the precedents that, in the past, ended in titles. Croatia, on the other hand, will try to break that trend and write a new chapter.
In the middle of everything will be two footballers who marked an era: Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić. Because in this duel, in addition to a winner, there could also be a farewell.