Sports News Update: Ronaldo Fever Grips Toronto as Portugal Prepare to Face Croatia in World Cup 2026 Knockout Clash

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The Pakistan Times Live | Islamabad Times  Islamabad, July 2, 2026

Toronto is buzzing with excitement as thousands of football fans have taken to the streets of the Canadian city to catch a glimpse of Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Portugal's high-stakes Round of 32 clash against Croatia at Toronto Stadium on Thursday evening.

The 41-year-old Portuguese captain has been the center of attention since Portugal's squad arrived in the city, with scenes reminiscent of his first visit to Toronto back in 2009, when he had just completed his then record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid and was greeted by hundreds of adoring fans. Seventeen years on, the passion for Ronaldo in this city has not faded one bit.

Ronaldo enters Thursday's match having played every single minute of Portugal's three group stage games, a total of 270 minutes or more when stoppage time is added, raising genuine questions among analysts about whether the burden of that workload could affect his performance at the critical knockout stage. Despite calls from pundits for coach Roberto Martinez to manage his star player's minutes, the Portuguese coach has remained firm in his commitment to starting Ronaldo, insisting that the Al Nassr striker remains capable of delivering at the highest level regardless of how much he plays.

On the other side, Croatia arrive in Toronto with their own legendary figure in 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modric, who recently earned his 200th international cap at this tournament and continues to perform at an extraordinary level. The match carries enormous emotional weight as two of football's most celebrated players of the modern era face off in what could be the final World Cup appearance for both.

Portugal have been solid if unspectacular in the group stage, winning one and drawing two, while Ronaldo has scored twice. Croatia finished second in Group L and are expected to make life difficult for the Portuguese attack with their disciplined defensive structure. For Ronaldo, who has never scored in a World Cup knockout game, Thursday evening represents yet another opportunity to finally write that chapter in his legendary story.

The Pakistan Times Live will bring full coverage of the result as it unfolds.

 The Pakistan Times Live. All rights reserved.

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