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Ronaldo vs. Modric: Over-40 clash in World Cup knockout
3 Jul
Summary
- Portugal faces Croatia in a World Cup knockout match today.
- The game features former Real Madrid teammates Ronaldo and Modrić.
- It's the first World Cup game with two players over 40.
Portugal is set to face Croatia in a significant World Cup knockout stage match on Thursday, July 2, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. ET. This highly anticipated duel pits former Real Madrid teammates and Ballon d'Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić against each other. Should both players start, it will be a historic occasion as the first FIFA World Cup game to feature two players aged over 40.
While Croatia enters the match with superior group stage form, having won two games, Portugal secured one win and two draws. Historically, Portugal holds an advantage in their head-to-head encounters with 7 wins in 11 meetings. However, Croatia's past World Cup performances, including runs to the 2018 final and 2022 semi-finals, underscore their potential to challenge.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19. This year's tournament features an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 games. The knockout stage begins with a Round of 32 on June 28, with the final scheduled for July 19.
