Portugal 2-1 Croatia: Portugal wins
Portugal entered the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 with a historical advantage over Croatia, but this was a knockout match — one mistake could be the end of it all.
- 0'The match has started.
Portugal hosts Croatia.
- 17'Yellow card
17th minute: R. Dias (Portugal) receives a yellow card (Elbowing).
- 45'End of the first half
The first half ended with a score of 0-0.
- 46'The second half has begun.
The second half has begun.
- 46'Substitution
46th minute (Croatia): I. Matanovic comes on to replace A. Budimir.
- 53'GOAL! Croatia (0-1)
53rd minute:I. Perisic(Croatia) scored. Score: 0 - 1.
- 59'Yellow card
59th minute: L. Modric (Croatia) receives a yellow card (Tripping).
- 61'VAR
61st minute: Goal Disallowed - offside — C. Ronaldo (Portugal).
- 62'Substitution
62nd minute (Portugal): B. Silva comes on to replace Vitinha.
- 63'Substitution
63rd minute (Portugal): F. Conceicao comes on to replace P. Neto.
- 63'Substitution
63rd minute (Portugal): N. Semedo comes on to replace B. Fernandes.
- 63'Substitution
63rd minute (Portugal): G. Ramos comes on to replace J. Cancelo.
- 68'GOAL! Portugal (1-1)
68th minute:C. Ronaldo(Portugal) scored from the penalty spot. Score: 1 - 1.
- 68'Substitution
68th minute (Croatia): M. Pasalic comes on to replace M. Baturina.
- 81'VAR
Minute 81': Goal Disallowed - offside — P. Sucic (Croatia).
- 81'Substitution
81st minute (Portugal): R. Neves comes on to replace C. Ronaldo.
- 90+2'Substitution
90+2nd minute (Croatia): J. Gvardiol comes on to replace N. Vlasic.
- 90+4'GOAL! Portugal (2-1)
90+4th minute:G. Ramos(Portugal) scored (assist: R. Leao). Score: 2 - 1.
- 90+6'Substitution
90+6th minute (Croatia): A. Kramaric comes on to replace M. Kovacic.
- 90+8'Yellow card
90+8th minute: I. Perisic (Croatia) receives a yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct).
- 90+13'VAR
Minutes 90+13': Goal Disallowed - offside — J. Gvardiol (Croatia).
- KTFinal score: Portugal 2-1 Croatia
The match ended with a score of 2-1.
Updated at 08:13 on 03/07/2026
Team lineup updated at 05:23 on 03/07/2026
Official lineup
Portugal
Diagram: 4-2-3-1
CoachRoberto Martinez
Starting lineup:
- 1. Diogo Costa (G)
- 20. João Cancelo (D)
- 3. Rúben Dias (D)
- 13. Renato Veiga (D)
- 25. Nuno Mendes (D)
- 15. João Neves (M)
- 23. Vitinha (M)
- 18. Pedro Neto (M)
- 8. Bruno Fernandes (M)
- 17. Rafael Leão (M)
- 7. Cristiano Ronaldo (F)
Substitutes:
- 12. José Sá
- 22. Rui Silva
- 4. Tomás Araújo
- 2. Nélson Semedo
- 6. Matheus Nunes
- 14. Gonçalo Inácio
- 5. Diogo Dalot
- 16. Francisco Trincão
- 19. Gonçalo Guedes
- 10. Bernardo Silva
- 21. Rúben Neves
- 24. Samú Costa
- 26. Francisco Conceição
- 9. Gonçalo Ramos
- 11. João Félix
Croatia
Diagram: 4-2-3-1
CoachZlatko Dalic
Starting lineup:
- 1. Dominik Livaković (G)
- 2. Josip Stanišić (D)
- 6. Josip Šutalo (D)
- 3. Marin Pongračić (D)
- 14. Ivan Perišić (D)
- 10. Luka Modrić (M)
- 8. Mateo Kovačić (M)
- 13. Nikola Vlašić (M)
- 17. Petar Sučić (M)
- 16. Martin Baturina (M)
- 11. Ante Budimir (F)
Substitutes:
- 12. Ivor Pandur
- 23. Dominik Kotarski
- 4. Joško Gvardiol
- 5. Duje Ćaleta-Car
- 22. Luka Vušković
- 25. Martin Erlić
- 7. Nikola Moro
- 15. Mario Pašalić
- 24. Marco Pašalić
- 19. Toni Fruk
- 21. Luka Sučić
- 18. Kristijan Jakić
- 9. Andrej Kramarić
- 20. Igor Matanović
- 26. Petar Musa
There is no turning back in this battle.
BMO Field will witness one of the most exciting clashes of the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup when Portugal takes on Croatia at 6:00 AM on July 3rd, 2026. This is a knockout match — win means progress, lose means going home. There's no chance for a second chance, no points to count. The pressure on both teams is a completely different weight than in the group stage.
The form of both teams before kick-off.
Portugal enters this match in less than convincing form. In their last three games, they have had one win, one draw, and another draw — meaning they only secured one victory in that streak. The red-and-blue team's playing style seems to lack the necessary sharpness, and this is something the coach needs to address before this crucial match.
Conversely, Croatia is in good form. Although they lost their last match, the Balkan team had previously won two consecutive games. This is a sign that Croatia is confident and ready to spring a surprise.
The head-to-head history favors Portugal.
Looking back at the last five encounters between the two teams, Portugal holds a clear advantage with three wins, one draw, and only one loss to Croatia. This historical trend is a significant psychological advantage for Cristiano Ronaldo's team, although in modern football, the past is never a guarantee for the future.
However, it's worth remembering that Croatia has repeatedly overcome opponents who were stronger on paper at previous World Cups. Their team spirit and ability to withstand pressure have always been their hallmarks.
Assessment
With the advantage of historical head-to-head records and playing on neutral ground, Portugal is considered slightly more favored. However, their inconsistent form in recent matches is a major question mark. Croatia, with their previous winning streak, could certainly pose a challenge if Portugal doesn't rediscover their best form. This promises to be a tense, dramatic, and unpredictable match right up to the final minute.
Head-to-head history (last 5 matches)
- November 19, 2024: Croatia 1 - 1 Portugal
- September 6, 2024: Portugal 2 - 1 Croatia
- June 8, 2024: Portugal 1 - 2 Croatia
- November 18, 2020: Croatia 2 - 3 Portugal
- September 6, 2020: Portugal 4 - 1 Croatia
Portugal's recent form
- June 28, 2026: Colombia 0-0 Portugal (Draw)
- June 24, 2026: Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan (Winner)
- June 18, 2026: Portugal 1-1 Democratic Republic of Congo (Draw)
- June 11, 2026: Portugal 2-1 Nigeria (Winner)
- 07/06/2026: Portugal 2-1 Chile (Winner)
Croatia's recent form
- June 28, 2026: Croatia 2-1 Ghana (Winner)
- June 24, 2026: Panama 0-1 Croatia (Winner)
- June 18, 2026: England 4-2 Croatia (Loss)
- 08/06/2026: Croatia 2-1 Slovenia (Winner)
- June 2, 2026: Croatia 0-2 Belgium (Loss)
Rankings
| Team | Location | Point | form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 2 | 5 | DWD |
Team form and statistics
Portugal (Host)
Form in the last 5 matches:DWD
Statistics for this season:
- Matches played: 3
- Wins: 1 (1 at home)
- Draw: 2 (1 home game)
- Losses: 0 (0 at home)
Goal:
- Scored: 6 goals (Average: 2.0 goals/match)
- Goals conceded: 1 goal (Average: 0.3 goals/match)
Croatia (Guest)
Form in the last 5 matches:LWW
Statistics for this season:
- Matches played: 3
- Wins: 2 (1 away)
- Draw: 0 (0 away goals)
- Losses: 1 (1 away game)
Goal:
- Scored: 5 goals (Average: 1.7 goals/match)
- Goals conceded: 5 goals (Average: 1.7 goals/match)
Force situation
Portugal:No injury information available.
Croatia:No injury information available.
Predicted lineup
Predictions and odds
Predicted winner:Portugal
Win or draw
Predicted odds:
- Home team wins: 45%
- Draw: 45%
- Guest wins: 10%
Predicted number of goals:
- Home team: -3.5 goals
- Guests: -2.5 tables
Advice:Double chance : Portugal or draw
*This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).
