TORONTO — Thousands of Portugal and Croatia supporters endured scorching temperatures on Thursday as they marched, sang and danced toward Toronto Stadium for a World Cup round-of-32 clash that could mark the final meeting between Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric on football’s biggest stage.
With Toronto home to large Portuguese and Croatian communities, the knockout match has taken on added emotional significance, as one of the two Ballon d’Or winners could see his pursuit of World Cup glory come to an end.
Croatia supporter Dennis Mavrin, who also attended his team’s group-stage victory over Panama in Toronto, said the experience convinced him to stretch his family’s vacation budget for another match despite objections at home.
“I thought that would be the only game I went to, but after that game, I knew we had to come back,” Mavrin said. “My son and I are here to experience that match between Ronaldo and Modric.”
Toronto has been gripped by an intense heat wave this week, with temperatures climbing as high as 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of the city. The extreme conditions forced train operators to reduce speeds, while city officials canceled a planned World Cup fan broadcast at Nathan Phillips Square, citing the need to concentrate resources around the stadium and fan marches.
Regional transit operator Metrolinx increased service to the venue but warned supporters that trains would operate more slowly because of the heat and that some services could be canceled.
The disruptions did little to discourage fans eager to witness the high-profile encounter.
Toronto resident Justin Ribeiro, whose family has Portuguese roots, said seeing Portugal play in his hometown carried a special meaning.
“I have seen Portugal play in Portugal, but finding out that they are playing here, totally different,” Ribeiro said. “I needed to come watch them here at home.”
Neither side has enjoyed a flawless tournament. Portugal reached the knockout stage after defeating Uzbekistan between draws against the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia, while Croatia recovered from an opening defeat to England by beating Panama and Ghana to secure its place in the last 16.
With a quarterfinal berth at stake and two of football’s most celebrated veterans sharing the spotlight, supporters from both nations arrived believing they were about to witness a memorable chapter in World Cup history.
