One legendary international career is set to come to an end when Portugal meet Croatia at BMO Field in Toronto in the last 32, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric facing off in what is likely to be a farewell World Cup appearance for one of them.
Portugal are sure to be confident after topping their group's scoring charts with a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, though draws against DR Congo and Colombia left them as World Cup Group K runners-up and raised some doubts about their attacking rhythm.
Croatia can also bring an upbeat mood, having recovered from a chastening 4-2 defeat to England to grind out back-to-back wins over Panama and Ghana, the latest example of a side that has reached at least the semifinals in the last two World Cups.
Portugal vs. Croatia betting picks and predictions
Under 2.5 goals (+110)
Portugal and Croatia meet at BMO Field for what should be an occasion laced with history and significance, but perhaps also one weighed down by caution given what's at stake for both veteran cores.
Portugal's final group game finished goalless against Colombia, and four of their five most recent meetings with Croatia in competitive and friendly matches have been tight, low-scoring affairs.
The Vatreni's own form has been built on narrow 1-0 and 2-1 wins rather than expansive attacking football.
An elimination knockout tie between two sides with this much pedigree and this little margin for error tends to produce a cautious, structured match, and the Under has been the sharper side of the goals market across recent head-to-head meetings.
Croatia to win on penalties (+1200)
Croatia have won on penalties twice in the last two World Cups and Modric's experience from both of those shootouts gives Vatreni a genuine edge if this tie goes the distance.
Zlatko Dalic's side have shown they can grind out knockout games even when not at their attacking best.
A Portugal team that looked unconvincing for long stretches of the group stage, leaning heavily on individual moments from Ronaldo, is the type of opponent Croatia have specialised in frustrating.
Should this finish level after 90 minutes, Croatia's tournament scar tissue and penalty pedigree make them a live underdog price in a shootout against a Portugal side with far less recent shootout experience at this level.
Cristiano Ronaldo over 1.5 shots on target (-110)
With Croatia likely to sit in and defend with numbers behind the ball, Portugal are going to lean on Ronaldo to manufacture his own chances inside the box.
Ronaldo has scored twice already at this tournament and has been Roberto Martinez's most consistent attacking outlet, taking shots in every group game regardless of the result.
He has 13 shots and six shots on target at this World Cup.
If Croatia sets up in a low block, Ronaldo's instinct for finding pockets of space and getting shots away, even speculative ones, makes this a reasonable target for what could prove to be his final World Cup appearance.
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Portugal vs. Croatia odds
Portugal | -143 |
Tie | +270 |
Croatia | +400 |
Portugal vs. Croatia player props
Anytime goalscorer
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) | -110 |
Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal) | +130 |
Gonçalo Guedes (Portugal) | +200 |
Joao Felix (Portugal) | +200 |
Francisco Trincao (Portugal) | +210 |
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) | +240 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
