Croatia's Knockout Magic: Modrić's Warning to Portugal

Luka Modrić has a message before facing Portugal: 'Now a new tournament begins, and Croatia loves this.' The numbers back him up—three World Cups, three times reaching at least the semifinals. All through the knockout gauntlet.

Croatia's Knockout DNA

• Knockout Campaigns3 of 3
• Semifinals Reached100%
• Penalty Shootouts Won4 of 4
• Third Place Finishes1998, 2022
• Runner-Up2018

The Pattern Is Clear

Croatia doesn't just survive knockout football—they excel in it. In every World Cup where they've advanced past the group stage (1998, 2018, 2022), they've reached at least the semifinals. That's not luck. That's a mentality.

Modrić's words before the Portugal match carry weight: 'Now a new tournament begins, and Croatia loves this. We'll be ready to give everything we have and enjoy the game, wherever it takes us.'

The 'wherever it takes us' part is telling. Because for Croatia, knockout rounds often mean extra time and penalties—and they've mastered both. They've won all four penalty shootouts they've faced in World Cup knockouts: against Denmark and Russia in 2018, and Japan and Brazil in 2022.

This year's path to the Round of 16 wasn't smooth. A 4-2 opening loss to England put them on the back foot. They scraped past Panama 1-0, then beat Ghana 2-1 to squeeze through. But if history is any guide, that's when Croatia becomes dangerous.

Croatia's Knockout Journey Through Three World Cups

• 1998 Third Place — Beat Romania 1-0 (R16), Germany 3-0 (QF). Lost to France 2-1 (SF), beat Netherlands 2-1 (3rd place)
• 2018 Runner-Up — Beat Denmark on penalties after 1-1 (R16), Russia on penalties after 2-2 (QF), England 2-1 (SF). Lost to France 4-2 in final
• 2022 Third Place — Beat Japan on penalties after 1-1 (R16), Brazil on penalties after 1-1 (QF). Lost to Argentina 3-0 (SF), beat Morocco 2-1 (3rd place)

The Method Behind the Magic

Look at those results closely. In 2018 and 2022, Croatia drew 1-1 in both the Round of 16 and quarterfinals—four straight knockout matches ending level after 120 minutes. Four times they went to penalties. Four times they converted.

It's not just composure from the spot. It's the ability to absorb pressure for two hours, stay organized, and strike when the moment arrives. Against Brazil in 2022, they equalized in the 117th minute through Bruno Petković, forcing penalties after the Seleção had dominated. That's the Croatia formula: bend, don't break, then punish.

The one time they didn't need penalties in recent knockouts—the 2018 semifinal against England—they still had to come from behind, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win in extra time.

What Portugal Faces on Thursday

Luka Modrić (Captain & Midfield General)

The 38-year-old orchestrates everything. Questions about age and form this tournament, but his knockout pedigree is undeniable—he's been there for every one of Croatia's deep runs.

Penalty Shootout Mastery (4-0 Record)

If the match goes to spot kicks, history heavily favors Croatia. They haven't lost a World Cup shootout, while Portugal's record is shakier.

Extra Time Endurance (360 Minutes in 2018)

Croatia played the equivalent of four full matches in three knockout games during their 2018 run. They know how to pace themselves when it goes long.

Modrić on Portugal: 'They're a phenomenal team. We'll fight and give everything we have. I had no preference about who our opponent would be.'

That last line—no preference—sounds like confidence. Because for Croatia, the opponent matters less than the format. Group stage? They've stumbled (didn't even qualify for knockouts in 2002, 2006, and 2014). But once it's single elimination? That's when the machinery kicks in.

Thursday at 8 PM Brasília time in Toronto, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will try to break the pattern. But Modrić and his team have heard it all before.

FAQ

Thursday, October 2nd at 8 PM Brasília time (9 PM ET) in Toronto, Canada.

Rocky. They lost 4-2 to England in the opener, then scraped through with a 1-0 win over Panama and 2-1 over Ghana to advance in second place.

No. They're 4-0 in World Cup knockout shootouts: Denmark and Russia in 2018, Japan and Brazil in 2022. All four came after 1-1 or 2-2 draws.

He's 38 and has shown signs of struggle this tournament. But in knockout rounds, his experience and game management become assets—he's been the engine for all three of Croatia's deep World Cup runs.