PortugalvsCroatia

Portugal edged Croatia 2–1. Goalscorers — Portugal: C. Ronaldo 68' (pen), G. Ramos 90'+4; Croatia: I. Perisic 53'.

Portugal met Croatia in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto on Thursday, July 2, 2026. It belongs to the Round of 32 — the opening knockout stage introduced for the expanded 48-team format in 2026, bringing together the 12 group winners, 12 runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams. From this point the tournament is win-or-go-home.

Portugal go in ranked 5th in the FIFA World Ranking to Croatia's 11th — a gap of 6 places that is narrow enough that form, fitness and the occasion may matter more than seeding. Both nations come through UEFA, so familiarity between the two football cultures could shape how the game is played.

Portugal enter the 2026 World Cup in a transitional phase, as the team gradually moves beyond the Cristiano Ronaldo era while building around a new generation of exceptional talent. Under Roberto Martinez, who took charge after leading Belgium and has since brought a more attacking philosophy, the Selecao das Quinas possess remarkable individual quality across the pitch.

Croatia continue to defy expectations as one of the smallest nations to consistently compete at the highest level of international football. With a population of just four million, the Vatreni have produced an astonishing concentration of world-class talent and achieved results that far exceed what might be expected from a country of their size.

Portugal: Portugal's best World Cup finish was third place in 1966, when Eusebio led a memorable campaign in England. Croatia: Croatia reached the World Cup final in 2018 in Russia, losing to France 4-2, and finished third in 2022 in Qatar.

The match is scheduled at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada. Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 11:00 PM (07:00 PM ET).