Portugal face Croatia with Jota on their minds
Knockout stage starts with Croatia, a year after Jota's death
Portugal face Croatia in the World Cup Round of 32, and Roberto Martínez has dedicated this one. "Temos que vencer por ele", we have to win for him (4). It has been exactly one year since Jota died, and the manager is not hiding the emotion. This is a reunion too: the last time these sides met in a major tournament was Euro 2016. Only Cristiano Ronaldo remains from that Portugal lineup (3). The match is in Toronto, and if your team keeps advancing, the travel will be relentless (7).
Colombia draw confirmed, and Spain are out of the picture
Portugal finished second in Group K after drawing with Colombia. That result closed the group stage, and the bracket is now set, Spain are no longer a potential opponent on this side of the draw (8). Martínez's analysis is already out, and Rúben Dias posted something cryptic after the match. The record.pt report calls it an "enigmatic message" (6).
"This team has no soul", French media tear in
Kevin Diaz did not hold back on French radio. "Cette équipe n'a pas d'âme," he said, this team has no soul (9). The criticism lands hard because it is not just about tactics. It echoes what a section of Portugal fans have been saying all tournament: something is missing. The pressure on Martínez and the squad is climbing before the Croatia match.
Martínez has used 22 players but relied on 11
A Record analysis shows Martínez has given minutes to 22 players this tournament, but only 11 have logged more than 90 minutes (2). The rotation has been wide, but the core is narrow. Heading into a knockout match, the question is whether he sticks with that trusted group or changes something.
Debast injured, out of Belgium's next match
Sporting defender Zeno Debast is injured and doubtful for Belgium's Round of 32 match against Senegal on Wednesday. He is staying around the squad anyway. "If someone needs water, I'm ready," he said (10).
Domestic moves: a striker returns, Moreirense add Aranha
A striker is coming back to Portugal and will play in European competitions next season (5). Separately, a player known as Aranha is already on his way to join Moreirense (1).
Fan reactions
The mood around Portugal is tense. The draw against Colombia has fans on edge, and the Croatia matchup is being treated as a defining moment. Wider World Cup chatter is looking elsewhere, one thread on r/worldcup argues Colombia are underrated and could knock out Argentina later in the tournament, while r/soccer is tracking unique goalscorers across the competition. Join the discussion
Sources
- 1. record.pt — Aranha já está em trânsito para Portugal para reforçar o Moreirense
- 2. record.pt — Roberto Martínez aperta com eles: já utilizou 22 jogadores mas só 11 somaram mais de 90 minutos
- 3. cmjornal.pt — Portugal-Croácia: reencontro com velho conhecido
- 4. sapo.pt — Portugal defronta Croácia um ano depois da morte de Jota: "Temos que vencer por ele"
- 5. abola.pt — Mercado: ponta de lança volta a Portugal e vai jogar competições europeias
- 6. record.pt — Da análise de Martínez à mensagem enigmática de Rúben Dias: o rescaldo do Colômbia-Portugal
- 7. cmjornal.pt — Portugal disputa 'mata-mata' com a casa às costas
- 8. marca.com — Portugal se quita a España de la cabeza
- 9. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — Portugal : "Cette équipe n'a pas d'âme", regrette Diaz
- 10. ge.globo.com — Lesionado, Debast diz que tenta ajudar Bélgica fora de campo: "Se alguém precisar de água, estou pronto"