TORONTO, Canada- Cristiano Ronaldo will once again be at the center of attention when Portugal take on Croatia in a FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash on Thursday, with a place in the last 16 at stake.
The match has been billed as a showdown between two of football’s enduring greats, with 41-year-old Ronaldo facing Croatia captain Luka Modrić, 40, in what could be the final World Cup appearance for either player.
The pair enjoyed six successful seasons together at Real Madrid, winning four UEFA Champions League titles.
Portugal, coached by Roberto Martínez, reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group K. Croatia also advanced from the group phase to set up the first-ever World Cup meeting between the two nations.
Ronaldo enters the match chasing another milestone. Despite becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, the Portugal captain has never found the net in a World Cup knockout match.
Thursday’s fixture gives him another opportunity to end that run while helping Portugal move a step closer to the title.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić has, however, played down the focus on Ronaldo versus Modrić, insisting the outcome will instead be decided by the midfield battle between the two experienced sides.
He praised Portugal’s technical quality and warned that limiting mistakes would be key to Croatia’s chances of progressing.
Portugal have won all four previous senior international meetings against Croatia, but knockout football offers no guarantees as both teams seek a place in the Round of 16.
Key battles: Ronaldo vs Croatia’s centre-backs, Modrić vs Portugal’s pressing midfield, and Bruno Fernandes/Vitinha vs Croatia’s compact shape.
Portugal will look for control and quick service into Ronaldo, while Croatia’s best route is likely through patient midfield possession and limiting mistakes.
The winner will advance to face either Spain or Austria in the Round of 16.
