Portugal and Croatia clash in a mouthwatering World Cup tie, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s supposed final bid to lift this trophy is put at serious risk of collapsing.
The superstar has been central to the narrative around this Portugal team, and whether he himself should be a central cog in the system, but either way he has played every single minute in North America so far.
After a flat opening effort in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, the 41-year-old notched a double in a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan, before Portugal rounded out the group by drawing 0-0 with Colombia. Meanwhile, Croatia bounced back from a 4-2 loss to England by edging past Panama 1-0 and Ghana 2-1, setting up this intriguing contest in Toronto, Canada.
In Luka Modric, Croatia have their own star player making one last run at the World Cup trophy, after the nation were runners-up in 2018 and third-placed finishers in 2022.
Follow live updates from the World Cup last-32 tie, below:
Hail Perisic
What an extraordinary international career Ivan Perisic has had. He has won 158 caps. He has scored in a World Cup final. And he might be taking Croatia through here
Portugal 0-1 Croatia
57’ – Croatia think they have scored again but Vlasic, who provided the assist for Mantanovic to finish, was slightly offside. The right call and it remains 1-0.
Portugal 0-1 Croatia
54’ – Stanisic puts the cross in from the right and Dias’ headed clearance is only to Perisic near the back stick and he finishes. What a moment for the other veteran on the pitch. Now how can Portugal respond to some adversity? Hauling Ronaldo off would be a reasonable start.
GOAL! Portugal 0-1 Croatia (Perisic 53)
And it’s the sprightly 37-year-old who breaks the deadlock in Toronto!
Portugal 0-0 Croatia
52’ – Ronaldo receives the ball with his back to goal approximately 30 yards out. He could turn. Instead he does some feints and loses possession. Ronaldo watch has been difficult so far here.
Portugal 0-0 Croatia
48’ – Kovacic scrambles his way into the box, past Cancelo, and, off balance, the midfielder brings a first save from Costa. The goalkeeper uses his foot to make the stop, giving away a corner.
Portugal 0-0 Croatia
46’ – Within 15 seconds of the restart Mendes gallops into the box and looks in a great position to shoot. Except he chooses to find Ronaldo instead and his pass fails to reach the captain, meaning a move of such promise breaks down.
Portugal must do better
Portugal turned 69 percent of possession in the first half into one shot on target. Which is not really enough. Can they do better in the second? Roberto Martinez has sent out the same team which means, predictably, Ronaldo is on the pitch again.
