Portugal vs Croatia: World Cup Round of 32 preview, predictions & bet builder tips

Portugal vs Croatia match details

• Fixture: Portugal vs Croatia

• Competition: World Cup Round of 32

• Date: Friday, 3 July, 2026

• Kick-off: 00:00 BST

• Venue: Toronto Stadium, Ontario, Canada

Portugal vs Croatia match prediction

Our prediction: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Portugal vs Croatia predicted lineups

Portugal

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Costa / Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes / Neves, Vitinha / Neto, Fernandes, Felix / Ronaldo

Croatia

Our predicted XI (4-3-3): Livakovic / Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol / Modric, Sucic, Kovacic / Baturina, Budimir, Perisic

Portugal vs Croatia bet builder tips

Portugal to qualify

Portugal may have won just one of their three group matches, but they remain unbeaten and look well placed to reach the Round of 16.

The 2025 Nations League winners have now gone eight matches without defeat across competitive fixtures and friendlies, while losing just twice across their last 20 matches.

Those defeats came against Ireland and Denmark, while Portugal have also recorded impressive victories over Spain, Germany and surprise World Cup package the USA during that run.

Croatia, meanwhile, bounced back from their opening defeat to England by beating Ghana and Panama, but their recent record against top nations is less convincing.

Before those victories, Croatia had lost three of their previous four matches, with defeats coming against England, Brazil and Belgium.

Given Portugal's superior quality and stronger recent record against elite opposition, our experts are backing Roberto Martinez's side to qualify, whether that comes in 90 minutes, extra-time or on penalties.

Over 1.5 goals to be scored

Everything points towards goals when these two nations take to the pitch.

Portugal's World Cup matches have averaged 2.3 goals per game, while Croatia's have averaged 3.3 goals during the group stage.

Croatia's last ten matches have all featured at least two goals, with only three of their last 20 games ending with fewer than two goals scored.

Portugal's goalless draw in their final group game was something of an exception, with each of their previous five matches producing at least two goals.

This selection has landed in 80% of Portugal's last ten matches and in all but three of their fixtures dating back through 2025 and into this World Cup.

With both sides possessing plenty of attacking quality, backing over 1.5 goals looks a strong play.

Cristiano Ronaldo to have 3+ shots

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be Portugal's focal point in attack, and nobody can question his willingness to shoot.

The veteran forward has registered three shots against DR Congo, five against Uzbekistan and another three against Colombia during this World Cup.

He has also recorded at least three shots in each of Portugal's two pre-tournament warm-up matches, meaning he has now reached this mark in every game during the current international camp.

Croatia also allowed Harry Kane seven shots in their opening defeat to England, suggesting opportunities should be available for Portugal's captain.

Whether or not Ronaldo finds the net, we're expecting him to test Croatia with another busy shooting performance.

Joao Felix to have 1+ shot on target

Joao Felix has become an increasingly important figure for Portugal as the tournament has progressed.

After being an unused substitute in Portugal's opening match, Felix has started each of the last two group games and registered three shots in both appearances.

Only one of those six efforts has found the target so far, but his longer-term numbers suggest improvement is likely.

Playing alongside Ronaldo at Al Nassr this season, Felix averaged 1.5 shots on target per game.

He also averaged 1.3 shots on target during Portugal's 2024/25 Nations League campaign, while his World Cup qualifying numbers were also close to one shot on target per appearance.

Given his recent involvement and strong historical data, we're backing Felix to hit the target at least once in Canada.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.