Modric or Ronaldo, one World Cup career ends in Toronto

One legend walks away tonight

Croatia face Portugal in the World Cup round of 32 in Toronto, kickoff at 01:00 CEST Friday, the night of Thursday into Friday (1) (3) (8). The math is brutal: either Luka Modric or Cristiano Ronaldo will play their final World Cup match. Modric, at 40, has carried your team this far with performances that made him look 20 again (4). RMC Sport called it plainly, the match that will bury one legend's international career (3).

Dalic expects a midfield war

Coach Zlatko Dalic did not sugarcoat it: "I believe this is going to be a battle of midfielders. Portugal have excellent players in the midfield. They are tactically very good. In this match each error will be punished. It is a team that wants to possess the ball at all times" (source: Dalic press conference). That means Mateo Kovacic will be at the center of everything, up against Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Bruno Fernandes (1) (2). The bookmakers have Portugal as favorites, but one CBS expert on an 18–8 run is backing Croatia to keep it tight (2).

Fan reactions

Croatia fans know the stakes. Every thread about this match circles the same point, Modric or Ronaldo, one career ends here. In Toronto, Portuguese supporters are already making noise, with motorcyclists taking over the streets in a show of support ahead of the match. The atmosphere is building for what feels less like a round of 32 tie and more like a final. Full match thread here.