Modric faces Ronaldo with a World Cup on the line

Ronaldo or Modric, one World Cup is over Friday

Portugal against Croatia in the Round of 16. Friday, July 3, 2026. That is the draw, and it guarantees one of Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric plays their last World Cup match this week (1). Ronaldo posted after the draw: "Wir machen gemeinsam weiter", we keep going together (1). One of them will not.

England 3–0 Croatia, a heavy opening loss

Your team opened Group L against England on June 17 and lost 3–0 (2). Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham did the damage. Manager Thomas Tuchel had noted after facing Croatia earlier in the tournament that England "dropped too deep" defensively, but this time England were clinical and Croatia could not find a reply (2). The result put Croatia under immediate pressure in the group.

Modric on the brink of a landmark

The Panama match in Toronto was a milestone night for Luka Modric. The captain is now on the verge of his final World Cup run, and Friday's Round of 16 meeting with Ronaldo's Portugal could be his last game on this stage (1). No grand farewell yet, but the clock is ticking.