Result Portugal vs Croatia, Thursday, 2 July 2026, World Cup Round of 32

In a thrilling match, Portugal triumphed over Croatia with a score of 2-1 during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32 held in Toronto on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Croatia's Ivan Perišić, a former Inter player, was the first to score. However, Cristiano Ronaldo, another ex-Juve player, brought Portugal back into the game with a penalty equalizer. The victory was clinched by Gonçalo Ramos, the new AC Milan player, who scored a header in stoppage time, propelling Portugal into the Round of 16. This exciting encounter showcased the skills of both teams, but ultimately, Portugal emerged victorious.

This match is sure to be particularly exciting. Why, you ask? Because former Real Madrid icons Luka Modrić and Cristiano Ronaldo will be facing each other. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić are among the most revered and legendary footballers of their generation. For example, they shared an incredible period of triumph at Real Madrid from 2012 to 2018, forming a strong partnership that led to four UEFA Champions League titles. Cristiano also had a stint with Juventus. Who will lead their team to the next round?

 

FIFA Ranking

Portugal is currently ranked No. 7 in the FIFA Men's World Ranking, while Croatia sits at No. 13.

 

How did they reach the Round of 32?

Both teams made it through by finishing second in their respective groups. Portugal remained unbeaten in Group K, drawing with Congo DR and Colombia, and defeating Uzbekistan, while Croatia bounced back from an initial loss to England in Group L to secure victories over Panama and Ghana.

The two legendary captains:  Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal and Luka Modric from Croatia



 





 

👉   Serie A players called up for     🇵🇹     the Portugal National team:

• Juventus forward Francisco  Conceição


• AC Milan forward Rafael Leão

 

👉   Serie A players called up for    🇭🇷     the Croatia National team:

• Fiorentina Defender Marin Pongračić


• AC Milan midfielder Luka Modrić


• Atalanta midfielder Mario Pašalić


• Torino midfielder Nikola Vlašić


• Como midfielder Martin Baturina


• Inter midfielder Petar Sučić


• Bologna midfielder Nikola Moro

 

👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams.

👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings.



 

🇵🇹 Portugal 0 - 1 Croatia 🇭🇷

⚽️ In the 53rd minute, Ivan Perisic scored. A cross from the right by Stanisic was deflected and landed at the feet of the former Inter player, who fired a low left-footed shot past Diogo Costa. This goal makes him the top scorer for his national team in the World Cup, with a total of seven goals across four tournaments.





 

 🇵🇹 Portugal 1 - 1 Croatia 🇭🇷

⚽️   In the 68th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo scored. Livakovic was caught off guard, as CR7 executed a perfect penalty kick straight down the middle. This marks his first goal in a World Cup knockout stage, bringing the score back to even. Thanks to the former Juventus star!





 

🇵🇹 Portugal 2 - 1 Croatia 🇭🇷

⚽️ In the 94th minute, Gonçalo Ramos scored. This goal, reminiscent of a classic Milan play, could be the key to the Portuguese advancing to the round of 16: a fantastic right-footed cross from Rafael Leao allowed Ramos to leap high, outpacing Gvardiol and Pongracic, and ultimately beating Livakovic.





Certainly, a thrilling conclusion as a goal by Gvardiol is disallowed at the last moment due to a offside touch by Pasalic. A harsh ending for the Croatians and for Modric, in what is his final appearance in the most prestigious competition.

   Portugal World Cup 2026 Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP); Ricardo Velho (Gençlerbirliği Ankara).


• Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United); Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce SK), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal); Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica).


• Midfielders:  Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).


• Forwards: Joao Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG); Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr).

 

   Croatia World Cup 2026 Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City)


• Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax Amsterdam), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)


• Midfielders: Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)


• Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg).

 

Vozes afinadas em Toronto 🎶❤️‍🔥 #VaiDarPortugal | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/WFEZ7hpeKI

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 2, 2026

Portugal official starting lineup against Croatia

Credit via x.com/selecaoportugal

 

Croatia official starting lineup against Portugal

Photo via x.com/HNS_CFF

 





 

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World Cup Group Round of 32

🇵🇹   Portugal 1 - 1 Croatia  🇭🇷

Date & Time: Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM PT (7:00 PM ET)
Venue: Toronto Stadium (BMO Field)
Toronto, Ontario

Referee: Espen Eskas NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Abongile Tom RSA
Reserve AR: Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela RSA

⚽️   Goals:  53' Ivan Perisic (C),  68' Cristiano Ronaldo (pen)(P)

🟨   Yellow Cards:

✅    Official lineups - Tabellino: