Here we go! It’s win or go home from here on out at the 2026 World Cup!
I’m excited for this Croatia vs. Portugal Round of 32 clash in Toronto. Why? Our beloved Vatreni have yet to string together an attractive 90 minutes of football the entire tournament. The first half against England was great! The Panama match was disappointing with fans left wanting more. And the Ghana game was a chess match jockeying for group position.
And I love that because we haven’t seen Croatia play their best game yet and I have a feeing it will come against Portugal. I’m looking for Dalić to play our best all-around formation which would live in a 4-5-1. If Gvardiol does get the nod in the starting XI, I have a feeling he will be moved to a CB roll to minimize movement against Portuguese opposition running right at him. Remember, it’s clear as day that Gvardiol is nowhere near 100% after breaking his leg in January. Modrić and Petar Sučić must start as the CDM tandem with Kova starting on the bench. I would love to see Marco Pašalić start on the right wing to give Croatia width and 1v1 power on the wing. Don’t worry about his breakaway miss versus Panama…it only means he will need to make up for it.
I expect Budimir to start as the #9 in this match after scoring against Panama. Baturina will surely start at the #10 as he has been Croatia’s best player this tournament alongside Dominik Livaković.
Official lineups will be posted one hour before kickoff…
So he drops vlasic after he has a great game ok that makes sense 🤦🏻♂️
As predicted, the line up is the same
This is a logical move by dalic
Croatia hit its peak in the early 2020s when it knew its identity, its style, its line up each game
It built chemistry and cohesiveness
What dalic had to do the first three games where he’s constantly shuffling is very dangerous
Similar to euro 2021
Even if you have to downgrade talent, cohesiveness is probably worth more
Reintegrating vuskovic or gvardiol at this point just too risky
I agree + given the weather, all subs will get used so gonna have some opps to bail us out if need be late
Agree with many sentiments and observations expressed here by @Robert, @GG Alin, @Croatian Canadian, @Maltese Johnny, and so many others. We can win this game. We have a good combination of youth and experience in our lineup. Keep the defence tight and disciplined, control the midfield, and make the most of our opportunities.
A fantastic group of people posting here, and a big thanks to all the regulars who contribute their time and knowledge. I have learned a lot over the years reading your posts. It has been great to be on this World Cup 2026 run with everyone, so let’s keep the party going. We have two wins in a row . . . . Five more would be nice!
The Vatreni will play their hearts out. The outcome will be the outcome. Love this team regardless! What will be will be.
As @VIS said: Let’s go!!!!!!!
Bog i Hrvati!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From SN
Formation: 4-3-3
* GK: Dominik Livaković
* RB: Josip Stanišić
* CB: Josip Šutalo
* CB: Marin Pongračić
* LB: Joško Gvardiol
* CM: Petar Sučić
* CM: Luka Modrić
* CM: Mateo Kovačić
* RW: Martin Baturina
* ST: Ante Budimir
* LW: Ivan Perišić
I like this lineup, though I would have preferred Vuskovic to Pong. . Other than that: 👍👍
Half the team play for PSG (CL winners two-years in a row)
The other half play for Man U, Man City, Madrid, Barca and Juventus
No room in squad for 99M midfielder Matheus Fernandes lol
Nothing to lose – everything to gain – no pressure – activate Dalic masterclass (please and thank you)
Beyond 115 degrees – there are going to be thunderstorms – so the game will be stopped at least once for at least 30 minutes – could end up being 4-5 hours long
Let’s go! Keep the run going.
Control the midfield, keep as much as possible possession and stay compact on defense.
Tonight is what you wait 4 years for – as a fan, enjoy the journey as we have no control on the outcome
It’s a historic match because it will probably be Modric or Ronaldo last world cup match
I think your wrong in the beginning of this article. Croatia played a full 90 against Ghana. We held our own and managed to get the victory. This game will be about endurance and speed. The heat in Toronto has been disgusting these past two days. Croatia have to insert the youth as the game progresses. Players like Musa and Matanovic need to be brought on.
Teams only get better as the tournament goes further. Giants like Spain, England, Portugal have been struggling at times. This won’t be an easy game.
Modric and Ronaldo share lots of history and they both know this is their last attempt at a World Cup trophy. Neither of the two has scored a knockout stage goal.
We have the experience and know how to stay composed in these tight games. Ronaldo is the only one that has felt this pressure before.
Ajmo decki!!!! I’m proud regardless! just play your hearts out.
ajmo ajmo ajmo …….U …glad to see Amerikanci wearing big U against baaznija
We’re the ones with 2nd in 2018 and 3rd in 2022, the pork chops have done nothing. Show them no respect and give them a good ole LIKA beat down with rusted shovels just like my dido did.
Individuals don’t win games, Good Team Spirit is the key, Luka Modric is the greatest example of Team Spirit.
CROATIA will win for this very reason.
Teams with big egoes don’t succeed.
Leave it all on the field boys, be afraid of nothing.
To All Croatian supporters, when that whistle blows for the start of the game,
LET’S ALL MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS, GIVE THEM OUR SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
We’ll know if Austria or Spain won by the time this game rolls around and on the very off-chance Austria win that, this game is going to become way more important.
Why is this game important only if Austria win! All games are important in the knockout phase regardless of opponent. Also Spain isn’t looking great these days anyways.
I get u Iggy
U mean Croatia will be thinking “God is on our side again (by Spain being knocked out like in 2018) so let’s go”
See you all at the Croatia house! Be ready to party!