Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez don yarn say Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric be global icons wey don pass the level where public opinion fit affect dem. According to Martinez, before the big World Cup knockout match, dem two captains be the ultimate example for the young footballers wey dey come.
Portugal go face Croatia for round of 32 on Thursday for Toronto. Uzbekistan be the only team wey Portugal don beat so far, with Ronaldo scoring two goals for the 5–0 victory. Even though dem no lose, draws with DR Congo and Colombia mean say dem finish second for Group K. This one don make their knockout match harder.
Instead of facing Ghana, Portugal go battle Croatia, the 2018 runners-up and 2022 semifinalists. Croatia get experience and work ethic wey make them always tough opponent. After dem lose to England for first match, dem don recover with two wins. Confidence don high for Zlatko Dalić’s team.
Portugal know say if dem play to their usual level, victory dey likely. But Croatia don surprise many people for recent tournaments, so if dem beat Portugal, e no go too shock. However, Dalić’s current squad no be as strong as before. Tournament know-how dey important for knockout rounds, but Portugal also get plenty experience and better squad.
Portugal get many midfield and attacking options, making them clear favourites even if dem no don reach top gear. Roberto Martinez get many players wey fit decide match. Thursday match go be competitive, with both teams fighting hard, but Portugal fit win by small margin.
Martinez no get any injury problem. He go likely change only one player from the XI wey draw with Colombia: João Neves go replace Rúben Neves for midfield. Pedro Neto and João Félix don secure starting spots for wings, with Bruno Fernandes as chief creator. Ronaldo be the undisputed number 9. Renato Veiga be partner for Rúben Dias for defence, beating Tomás Araújo and Gonçalo Inácio.
Portugal predicted lineup: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Félix; Ronaldo.
Croatia go revert to 4-2-3-1 after experiment with 3-4-2-1 against England. Joško Gvardiol go return to left back, moving Ivan Perišić to left wing. Petar Sučić go keep his place after good goal against Ghana, but Nikola Vlašić fit drop out. Martin Baturina go move central for Perišić to play wide.
Croatia predicted lineup: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Gvardiol; Modrić, Kovačić; P. Sučić, Baturina, Perišić; Budimir.
Portugal get strong record against Croatia, losing only one of 10 matches, winning seven and drawing two. For competitive matches, dem unbeaten for six, winning five. Croatia don fail to win their last three World Cup matches against European teams, including 4-2 loss to France for 2018 final, goalless draw with Belgium for 2022, and 4-2 loss to England for this year.
Ronaldo, 41, never score for World Cup knockout match for eight appearances. He attempt 29 shots without scoring, joint-most with Roberto Carlos. Portugal hope say e go break that jinx against Croatia.
