Toronto hosts a meeting of eras. Portugal finished second in Group K after a Ronaldo double sank Uzbekistan 5-0, sandwiched by a 1-1 with Congo DR and a 0-0 against Colombia. At 41, Ronaldo is more emotional lodestar than every-week finisher now, but Martinez has serious quality around him — Vitinha and Joao Neves running midfield, Ruben Dias marshalling the back. That depth is the separator against a Croatia side that still leans on 40-year-old Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic to dictate tempo.

Croatia are dangerous but vulnerable: they lost 4-2 to England and squeezed past Panama and Paraguay, and that England scoreline exposed a defence that struggles against pace — precisely what Portugal's wide runners provide. Gvardiol will need a big night. The likeliest script is Portugal probing patiently, finding a breakthrough, and Croatia responding through a Modric-inspired set-piece to set nerves jangling. Portugal have the better tools to win it inside 90; 2-1, with extra time a genuine possibility if Croatia land their punch.