28’ Portugal 0-0 Croatia
First hydration break in Toronto and the pattern’s already set: Portugal do all the pressing, while Croatia pack every available blue shirt into their box and dare them to find a way through. So far, no dice — and it really should be Portugal’s, because they’ve been wasteful. Bruno Fernandes was denied twice in a lively early double chance, and Renato Veiga somehow headed over from a corner with the goal gaping. Ronaldo has had a free kick blocked by the wall and a shot smartly cut out by Pongracic.
Croatia haven’t been idle — Budimir threatened early — but they’ve barely crossed halfway since, happy to soak and frustrate. Ruben Dias has already been booked for a forearm to Budimir’s face, so he’ll be treading carefully now. Plenty of possession, plenty of blue bodies, and — the bit that matters — nothing to show for it.
