Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to chase yet another record as the National Team faces Croatia in a do-or-die clash, marked by a climate of dissent and the urgency for a response on the pitch. The atmosphere surrounding the Portuguese team is intense: fierce criticism from fans, constant doubts about the leadership of Roberto Martínez, and media pressure that threatens to destabilize even the most experienced players.
Portugal faces Croatia in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup this Thursday, against an aging yet dangerously experienced team, following a group stage that fell short of expectations. Roberto Martínez's squad only won one of their three matches — against Uzbekistan — and left doubts lingering against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia. Bernardo Silva, who recently transferred to Real Madrid, lost his starting position in midfield but insists on a message of unity. “I understand the issue, but it’s not very relevant. We are a group, and we all came here for the same reason. We all have the ambition to play, but the coach has a difficult job. I’ve been through this before. Of course, I want to be part of it, and I believe I can help. I am ready to help, whether it’s playing five minutes or in the locker room,” stated the Portuguese international on Wednesday, refusing to fuel controversies.
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
The midfielder, visibly calm under pressure, emphasized the need for emotional stability and collective focus: “It’s a game that involves a lot of passion, especially for the national team. I have a lot of experience and I’m used to this. Let’s not make this a rollercoaster; let’s be as stable as possible. The World Cup is a tough competition for all teams. We have things to improve on, and criticism is part of it. We are all giving our best. We are well positioned to continue. We are very confident that things will go well.”
On the pitch, Bernardo Silva pointed the way to Portuguese success: “Without a doubt, controlling the game with the ball, which we lacked in the last match, is an important factor for the team to perform well. We have players with incredible talent. It is essential to find that balance, but we also cannot lose emotional control, trying to be a team that creates danger, but without losing control of the game.”
Uncertainty about the starting eleven lingers in the air. João Neves from PSG is expected to return to the starting lineup after being on the bench against Colombia, in an attempt by Martínez to strengthen the midfield and restore some creativity to the team. The Spanish coach continues to divide opinions among Portuguese fans and analysts, many of whom do not believe he is capable of being the right captain to lead this golden generation to the titles that have eluded them since 2016.
Croatia, on the other hand, arrives at this clash after securing second place in Group L, with victories over Ghana and Panama, despite an opening defeat to England. With an increasingly aging squad led by 40-year-old Luka Modric, the Croatians maintain an enviable recent record: finalists in 2018 and third place in Qatar four years ago. Zlatko Dalic has already moved away from a three-man defense and is betting everything on a more solid four-man block, trying to address defensive weaknesses.
Portugal enters this match with statistics that reveal nervousness and a lack of recent consistency: they have only won one of their last three group stage matches, something that has occurred in four of the last five World Cups — they were eliminated at this stage only in 2014. Against Colombia, the National Team recorded just 45% possession, the lowest figure since the Nations League final against Spain in 2025. Nevertheless, Vitinha made history by becoming the first Portuguese player with 100% passing accuracy (54 of 54) in a World Cup match with at least 20 attempted passes.
For Portuguese fans, hope lies, as always, with captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who now has 25 appearances in World Cups — just one game away from equaling the all-time record. The striker could be crucial in breaking the goal drought and reigniting the Portuguese dream.
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
The kickoff is scheduled for 00:00 on Friday (Lisbon time), with live coverage on BBC One for the British audience and streams available via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport. The challenge will be seen as a litmus test for Martínez's ability to manage egos and talent, and for the maturity of the Portuguese golden generation.
If Portugal advances, the team's morale could experience a decisive turnaround towards the next stages and finally solidify their status as title contenders. In the event of elimination, Martínez's future as head coach and the very cohesion of the group would be at risk. The pressure is at its peak and only a convincing victory can silence the critics and restore hope to millions of Portuguese people around the world.
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