The World Cup Round of 32 continues over the next few days, with one of the most exciting matches seeing Portugal take on Croatia. It’s Cristiano Ronaldo vs Luka Modric in the early hours of Friday morning, and it’s a game not to be missed.
The two nations scored 11 goals between them during the group stages, and we expect the goals to continue to fly in when they face each other. You can check out our expert’s betting tips for the match and you can also see how you can get over £200 in free bets via sign up offers below.
Portugal vs Croatia World Cup betting offers & Free Bets
With some top knockout matches taking place over the next few days, now is the perfect time to sign up to some of the best new betting sites in the UK to take advantage of the free bets on offer. With multiple matches on each day, and the free bets having either a 7 day or 14 day expiry, you do not just have to use them on Portugal vs Croatia.
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Portugal vs Croatia Betting Tips
Portugal and Croatia are set to meet in a decisive Round of 32 clash at the 2026 tournament, with the match scheduled to kick off at BMO Field in Toronto at 12.00am on Friday, 3rd July. With neither side hitting top form during the group stage, this knockout tie offers a chance for one to make a statement, and our betting expert has analysed the key markets, read on for the analysis behind his selections.
Portugal’s Quality Tipped to Prevail
Portugal may not have been at their fluent best during the group stage, but they successfully navigated their fixtures unbeaten. They now face a Croatia side that has also shown vulnerabilities, and the superior quality within Roberto Martinez’s squad is expected to be the deciding factor.
The team has suffered just two defeats in 23 matches since the conclusion of Euro 2024, winning 14 of those encounters. During this impressive run, they have averaged 2.21 goals per game while conceding only 0.91, highlighting a well-balanced side that is difficult to break down.
While their only victory in the tournament so far was a commanding 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, their draws against DR Congo and Colombia pointed to a lack of cutting edge. However, with the attacking talent available to Martinez, it is a problem that should be solvable in the knockout rounds.
Croatia, on the other hand, have appeared fortunate at times. Their 2-1 victory over Ghana came despite generating an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.42. They were priced similarly on the 1×2 market against England in the group stage and fell to a 4-2 defeat, suggesting they may struggle again when faced with top-tier opposition.
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Expect a High-Action Encounter in Toronto
While Croatia’s last two group games were low on total shots, their match against Portugal is likely to resemble the high-tempo clash with England. That fixture saw a total of 32 shots, and a similar level of goalmouth action is anticipated here.
Portugal have shown a clear intent to be more adventurous in attack following a subdued opening match. Their goalless draw with Colombia produced a remarkable 37 attempts on goal, demonstrating a willingness from both sides to push forward.
This trend was also evident in their second group match, where Roberto Martinez’s side defeated Uzbekistan 5-0. That game saw a total of 24 shots, comfortably clearing the 23.5 line. The statistics suggest Portugal are committed to creating a high volume of chances.
Furthermore, this betting angle has proven successful in the last five meetings between these two nations, which have seen an average of 28.6 shots per game. The most recent head-to-head in the Nations League featured 27 shots, reinforcing the likelihood of another open and attacking contest.
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Budimir Offers Value in the Scorer Market
Ante Budimir presents an interesting option as an anytime goalscorer. Despite limited playing time across two group-stage appearances, he has averaged an impressive 0.65 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes, second only to Marco Pašalić in the Croatia squad.
The forward demonstrated his clinical edge against Panama, scoring the decisive goal with his only shot of the game. This efficiency will be crucial against a resilient Portuguese defence. His experience and predatory instincts make him a genuine threat inside the penalty area.
While Croatia have seen five different players find the net so far, highlighting a collective effort, Budimir’s club form makes him stand out. He scored 17 goals in 37 La Liga matches for Osasuna in the 2025/26 season, proving he can deliver consistently at a high level. At his current price, he represents a value pick to get on the scoresheet.
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