Portugal v Croatia prediction

Portugal and Croatia will face each other at BMO Field in Toronto on 3 July.

Portugal

During the group stage, Portugal failed to fully convince either the pundits or their own fans that they are contenders for the World Cup title. Their rather lacklustre performances have shown that Roberto Martínez’s side cannot be considered favourites in the race for football’s premier trophy.

The ‘Team of the Chosen Ones’ failed to beat either the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Colombia. Given the poor form of other teams, this was only enough for second place.

It is worth noting the statistics. In their last four defeats, Portugal have failed to score a single goal. In three group stage matches, the team earned a total of just ten corners.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to lack confidence. He has failed to score in his previous eight World Cup play-off matches. No other player has ever managed such a record, having taken 29 shots on goal without scoring a single goal.

Croatia national team

The Vatreni (“The Fiery Ones”) bounced back immediately after their defeat against England. Subsequent victories over Panama (1–0) and Ghana (2–1) secured their place in the World Cup play-offs.

Some fans might argue that the squad under Zlatko Dalić has lost its ability to win trophies, but the core of the team still consists of the players who finished third in 2022 and were World Cup runners-up in 2018.

In seven of Croatia’s last nine matches, both teams have scored. In five of their last six international matches, a goal was scored after the 80th minute.

Legendary veteran Luka Modrić is set to make his 23rd World Cup appearance. Only four players, including Ronaldo, have made more World Cup appearances.