Portugal
World CupWhy this tip?
Portugal and Croatia know each other well, and I cannot see how either side can stop the other from finding the back of the net. Both sides are equally matched and should cause problems for the defence. I expect this match to end with a draw, with the scoreline being 1 – 1.
Match Preview
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026
- Matchday: Last 32
- Date: 03 July 2026
- Kick-off time: 19:00 Canada (01:00 SA)
- Venue: Toronto Stadium (BMO Field)
Match details
Portugal and Croatia take to the field in the latest action of the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in Mexico, Canada and the USA. The match is set to take place on the 03rd of July 2026, at the Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) in Toronto, Canada, commencing at 19:00 (GMT-4) in Toronto, and 01:00 (GMT+2) in South Africa. We are in the midst of the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and if you are enjoying our expert coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, head over to our Topbets World Cup predictions page.
Why this match matters
The runner-ups of Groups K and L clash as Portugal and Croatia take centre stage in the twelfth match of the last 32. This encounter is steeped in European football heritage, as both teams have met in the UEFA Nations League and the UEFA European Championship.
This fixture may also be the last time former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić play against each other at a World Cup. This is do-or-die for two teams that have yet to reach the heights of yesteryear at the World Cup, and they will clash for a spot in the last 16 against either Spain or Austria.
Portugal vs Croatia head-to-head stats
Head-to-head record
Portugal and Croatia have a three-decade-long history in men’s senior international football, dating back to 1996, when the two teams first met at the 1996 UEFA European Championships. Despite their shared history, this is their first encounter at a FIFA World Cup.
Both teams have met 10 times, with Portugal leading the head-to-head (6 – 3 – 1), winning 6, drawing 3, and losing 1 against Croatia. In their meetings, Portugal scored 18 goals, while Croatia scored 8 times. Their last five meetings consisted of:
- 18/11/2024 (2024 UEFA Nations League) Portugal 1 – 1 Croatia
- 05/09/2024 (2024 UEFA Nations League) Portugal 2 – 1 Croatia
- 08/06/2024 (Friendly International) Portugal 1 – 2 Croatia
- 17/11/2020 (2020 UEFA Nations League) Croatia 2 – 3 Portugal
- 05/09/2020 (2020 UEFA Nations League) Portugal 4 – 1 Croatia
Portugal’s recent form
Portugal’s last five matches: WWDWD–
Portugal arrives at their first knockout game in good form and are undefeated in their last five outings, against teams such as:
- 28/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Colombia 0 – 0 Portugal
- 23/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Portugal 5 – 0 Uzbekistan
- 17/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Portugal 1 – 1 DR Congo
- 10/06/2026 (Friendly International): Portugal 2 – 1 Nigeria
- 06/06/2026 (Friendly International): Portugal 2 – 1 Chile
After winning their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier group, Portugal continued their impressive form heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup by picking up wins over Chile and Nigeria. They managed to not lose a single group game and claimed 5 points and qualified for the Knockout Round. In their last five outings, Portugal scored 10 times and conceded 3 goals. Three matches featured both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals, respectively.
However, I have noticed that they struggle against teams that play a low block and have struggled to create chances against both the DR Congo and Colombia during the World Cup, resulting in draws. Despite finishing the Group Stage undefeated, Portugal ended up coming in second place due to their lack of creativity.
Croatia’s recent form
Croatia’s last five matches: LWLWW–
Croatia has a good record heading into their round of 32 tie, winning three and losing two of their last five matches, picking up the results against the following teams:
- 27/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Croatia 2 – 1 Ghana
- 24/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): Panama 0 – 1 Croatia
- 17/06/2026 (FIFA World Cup): England 4 – 2 Croatia
- 07/06/2026 (Friendly International): Croatia 2 – 1 Slovenia
- 02/06/2026 (Friendly International): Croatia 0 – 2 Belgium
Croatia may have won their World Cup Qualifier group, but their journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been rocky. They lost their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener to England before picking up solid wins over Panama and Ghana. I noticed they struggled on the defensive transition, which could indicate that their players’ tired legs cannot handle stretched matches. In their last five matches, Croatia managed to score 7 goals and conceded 8 goals, with three matches featuring over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring, respectively.
Team news
Portugal team news
Injuries: N/A
Suspensions: N/A
Key players to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo will be the main man in the Portuguese attack and will look to add to his brace in the group stage. His physicality, off-the-ball runs and aerial prowess will be pivotal in Portugal finding the back of the net. Bruno Fernandes will be Portugal’s primary creative outlet and dictate the attacking tempo. If granted spaces to operate between the lines, his elite ball distribution will enable the wingers to add depth to their attack. Vitinha and João Neves’ intense pressing ability will allow Portugal to resist Croatia’s counter-press and recycle the ball to Fernandes.
Croatia team news
Injuries: N/A
Suspensions: N/A
Key players to watch: Captain Luka Modrić’s elite technical ability and ball distribution will be vital to break down defensive blocks, move the ball forward and create chances. He will be partnered by Mateo Kovačić, who will be tasked with resisting Portugal’s high press and dictating the tempo of the game. Joško Gvardiol anchors the Croatian defence and will be tasked with breaking down the Portuguese attack on the flanks. Andrej Kramarić’s reliable goal-scoring capabilities, along with his movement in the box and shooting accuracy, will be pivotal to Croatia’s chances of scoring.
Predicted lineups
Portugal predicted XI
Roberto Martínez has implemented a highly pragmatic, possession-based 4-2-3-1 formation. Portugal’s side is built to dictate tempo and unlock tight spaces by overloading the midfield and suffocating the opposition’s counter-press. Portugal utilises inverted full-backs to provide width on the counter and uses the elite distribution of Fernandes to run between the lines and offload passes to the attacking trio. However, in the group stage, we have noticed that when they encounter teams that sit deep, their elite passing is thwarted, and they lack creativity, resorting to sideways passing. We predict the Seleção das Quinas starting XI to feature:
Diogo Costa (G) – João Cancelo – Rúben Dias – Renato Veiga – Nuno Mendes – João Neves – Vitinha – Bernardo Silva – Bruno Fernandes – João Félix – Cristiano Ronaldo (C).
Croatia predicted XI
Zlatko Dalić has transformed the Croatian side into a 4-3-3 that transitions to a 3-4-2-1 off the ball to accommodate the ageing legs of his attack while utilising his defensive core. Croatia will look to use quick vertical triangle passing to draw in Portugal’s defenders and open up spaces before launching their wingers on the attack. I expect Croatia to use a mid-block to suffocate central passing lanes and bait opponents into heavy touches, and look to trigger quick counterattacks. The Vatreni and Kockasti starting XI should feature:
Dominik Livaković (G) – Josip Stanišić – Martin Erlić – Marin Pongračić – Joško Gvardiol – Luka Modrić (C) – Mateo Kovačić – Marco Pašalić – Martin Baturina – Ivan Perišić – Andrej Kramarić.
Best betting markets for Portugal vs Croatia
Match winner
Prediction: Match to end in a DRAW @ 19/5 (3.80) at BetXchange.
Over/Under goals
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 7/10 (1.70) at Easybet.
Both teams to score
Prediction: Both teams to score Yes @ 95/100 (1.95) at Playbet.
Anytime goalscorer
Prediction: Cristiano Ronaldo to score anytime @ 1/1 (2.00) at 10Bet.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup may be what everyone’s talking about, but the South African Champions Season is currently underway in KZN. The headlining Durban July is set to take place on the 04th of July, and you can get all of your Durban July Horse Racing Predictions right here at Topbets.
Portugal vs Croatia prediction
Best bet
Prediction: Both teams to score Yes @ 95/100 (1.95) at Playbet.
Correct score prediction
Prediction: Match to end 1 – 1 @ 29/4 (7.25) at WSB.
Match analysis and verdict
Portugal and Croatia continue their European rivalry in a new setting, meeting for the first time ever at a FIFA World Cup as they clash in the Round of 32. Both teams have been turbulent in the group stage, Portugal struggling to create chances, and Croatia’s tired legs showing in their defensive transitions.
Portugal and Croatia know each other well, and I cannot see how either side can stop the other from finding the back of the net. Both sides are equally matched and should cause problems for the defence. I expect this match to end with a draw, with the scoreline being 1 – 1.
Writer/Betting Tipster
I have been in the iGaming industry for a decade and am an avid sports bettor and fan. I have expanded my betting knowledge to create articles on the iGaming industry focusing on online casino content and sports betting analysis for several regions, including South Africa. I cover various sports, including Soccer, Cricket and Horse Racing. All my predictions, tips and insights are thoroughly researched and I aim to help fellow punters in beating the bookies!
