One of Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric will play a World Cup match for the last time on Thursday night. The BMO Field in Toronto stages the first World Cup meeting between Portugal and Croatia, a knockout tie that pits two former Real Madrid teammates against each other as captains, both aged over 40, both appearing at their sixth finals. For the loser, the final whistle will close a chapter that began in 2006; for the winner, a last-16 date with Spain or Austria awaits.

Portugal reached this point as runners-up in Group K, collecting five points from a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, a 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan and a goalless stalemate against Colombia. Ronaldo scored twice against the Uzbeks to become the first man to find the net in six different World Cups, yet he has never scored in a knockout tie at the tournament. Across the group stage he played every minute, a decision head coach Roberto Martínez defended by insisting there is “not an issue physically or mentally” with his captain. Croatia’s path was more turbulent: a 4-2 loss to England, in which Modric conceded a penalty and was substituted before the hour, was followed by a 1-0 win over Panama — Modric’s 200th international appearance — and a 2-1 victory against Ghana, where the midfielder’s late corner delivered the decisive goal and made him the oldest player to register an assist at a World Cup.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić has framed the contest as a “battle of midfielders”, pointing to the technical quality on both sides. Portugal can call on Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes, while Croatia pair Modric with Mateo Kovačić and the younger Martin Baturina. European analysts note that Portugal’s possession-heavy approach has not yet translated into consistent cutting edge, a theme that Indonesian commentators have likened to the Seleção’s sluggish group stage at Euro 2016, when they also faced Croatia in the first knockout round and went on to lift the trophy. Martínez, for his part, described the knockout phase as a “second World Cup” and said his squad is prepared for the heightened stakes.

The match carries an emotional weight beyond the tactical duel. It falls on the eve of the anniversary of the death of Portugal forward Diogo Jota, a fact midfielder Vitinha said would provide “added motivation”. Across the Spanish-language press, the encounter is framed as an adiós to one of the game’s defining figures, with outlets from Buenos Aires to Mexico City noting that only Cameroon’s Roger Milla had previously played as an outfield player past 40 at a World Cup. The winner will advance to face either Spain or Austria in the last 16, keeping alive a final shot at the trophy for one of the two veterans.