Ronaldo vs Modric: Portugal and Croatia Clash in World Cup Round of 32
Toronto, July 3, 2026 (Indian time early July 4): Portugal faces Croatia in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup, marking the first-ever meeting between the two sides in the tournament. The match, held at the Toronto Stadium, brings together former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, now captaining their respective national teams.
The winner of this knockout encounter will advance to face Spain on Monday, July 6, in Dallas, with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake.
Portugal's attack features Rafael Leao alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Pedro Neto. Croatia fields an unchanged lineup from their 2-1 victory over Ghana in the group-stage finale.
With this match, Ronaldo is set to surpass Lothar Matthäus for the most World Cup matches played, reaching 26 appearances, second only to Lionel Messi on the all-time list.
Both teams have shown strong form in the group stages. Portugal topped their group with two wins and a draw, while Croatia secured progression with a win, a draw, and a loss. The match promises a tactical battle, with Croatia's midfield orchestrated by Modric and Portugal's pace on the flanks.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM local time (6:00 AM IST on July 4). Fans around the world are eagerly watching as two European powerhouses vie for a place in the last 16.
