Modrić's Farewell: Portugal 2-1 Croatia Ends the Ballon d'Or Winner's Career
Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in the Round of 32 as Luka Modrić played his final World Cup match. Ronaldo and Ramos scored to send Portugal through to face Spain.
Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in the Round of 32 on Thursday 3 July. Luka Modrić played the final match of his football career. Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot in the 68th minute. Gonçalo Ramos headed a Rafael Leão cross into the net in the 94th to send Portugal through to a Round of 16 tie against Spain. Modrić and Ronaldo embraced at midfield after the whistle. Modrić's international retirement is now effective.
Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 on 3 July. Luka Modrić played his final match. Ivan Perišić (53') scored for Croatia. Cristiano Ronaldo (68' pen) and Gonçalo Ramos (94') scored for Portugal. Portugal now play Spain in the Round of 16. Modrić has retired.
Was Portugal vs Croatia Luka Modrić's last game?
Yes. Modrić confirmed his retirement before the tournament and the loss to Portugal on 3 July closed the international chapter of his career. He walked off the pitch at the final whistle with the game confirmed as his last competitive Croatia appearance. Ronaldo, who kept his own tournament alive with the penalty in the 68th minute, met him at midfield for an embrace after the whistle. The two former Real Madrid teammates spent nearly a decade together in Madrid across the 2010s.
Modrić leaves as the most decorated player in Real Madrid history with 28 trophies, the 2018 Ballon d'Or, the 2018 World Cup silver medal with Croatia, the 2022 World Cup bronze, and Croatia's all-time appearance record. He is 40 years old. The 2026 World Cup was the first tournament in history to feature two outfield players aged at least 40, Modrić and Ronaldo, and both were on the pitch for what could be either player's last World Cup match.
How Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 to set up the Spain Round of 16
Croatia opened the scoring in the 53rd minute. Ivan Perišić lashed in a low strike from inside the box after Croatia had grown into the first half. Roberto Martínez's Portugal had 90 minutes to save the tournament.
Ronaldo levelled in the 68th. Nikola Vlašić fouled Renato Veiga in the box. Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot-kick for his first knockout-stage goal at a World Cup after five previous tournaments in which he had not scored past the group stage.
The winner arrived in the 94th minute. Rafael Leão clipped a cross from the left. Gonçalo Ramos rose at the far post and headed past Dominik Livaković. Portugal thought the drama was over. Then the VAR check.
Joško Gvardiol thought he had equalised in the 113th minute. The video assistant referee disallowed the goal after 'Snicko' technology detected a faint touch by Igor Matanović on Ivan Perišić's cross, making Mario Pašalić offside. Croatia were out. Portugal move on to face Spain in the Round of 16.
Modrić's legacy and what this means for collectors
Modrić leaves football as one of the greatest midfielders of the century. He is the only Croatian ever to win the Ballon d'Or, Real Madrid's most decorated player with 28 trophies, and Croatia's all-time appearance record holder.
Signed Luka Modrić memorabilia is part of the authenticated catalogue at MVPs. The collection covers Real Madrid and Tottenham-era pieces with full Beckett certificates of authenticity. A player's retirement window drives collector demand because the supply of signed items is now finite. Every signed jersey from this final tournament carries the closing-chapter premium.
Portugal play Spain in the Round of 16, the biggest match remaining in the lower half of the draw. For Modrić, the emotional exit at midfield with a former teammate is the moment the tournament will remember.