Bernardo Silva says Portugal have to shrug off widespread media criticism back home and find some stability if they want to win the World Cup, starting on Thursday against Croatia. Boss Roberto Martinez remains a polarising figure among the Portugal fans and pundits with many doubting his ability to lead a hugely talented squad to success.Their performances in the group stage added weight to that theory with Portugal winning just one of three games against Uzbekistan, DR Congo and Colombia.Silva, who will play for Real Madrid next season following his departure from Manchester City, has lost his place in midfield but has no intention of rocking the boat and has asked for calm.Asked about his relegation to the bench, he said: I understand the question but its not very relevant. We are a group and we came for the same thing. We all have an ambition to play but the coach has a difficult job. In my career I have been through this before. Of course I want to be part of it and I think I can help. Im ready to help, whatever it is, whether playing five minutes or in the dressing room.It is a game that involves a lot of passion, even more for the national team. I have a lot of experience and am used to it. Dont make it a roller coaster, be the most stable we can.The World Cup is a difficult competition for all national teams. There are things we have to improve on and criticism is part of it. We are all doing our best. We are in a good position to continue. We are very confident that things will go well.Silva also suggested control on the pitch, as well as off it, represents Portugals best route to success.Without a doubt, controlling the game with the ball, which we missed in the last game, is an important factor for the national team to play well, he added. We have players with incredible talent. It is essential to find that balance, but we also must not lose emotional control, trying to be a team that creates danger, but without losing control of the game.Silva may have to settle for a place on the bench again tomorrow with Martinez having to shoehorn several world class midfielders into his line-up.Croatia are not blessed with such richesbut did finish second in Group L, beating Ghana and Panama after losing to England in their opener.Their recent World Cup record compares favourably against most other nations after being runners-up in 2018 and coming third four years ago in Qatar. But an ageing team, led by 40-year-old Luka Modric, appears past its best.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: Portugal v Croatia team newsPortugal v Croatia World Cup 2026 predicted line-upsWhere to watch Portugal v Croatia: TV channel, live online streamsWorld Cup 2026: Portugal v Croatia statsWorld Cup 2026: Portugal v Croatia predictionResponsible GamblingWorld Cup 2026: Portugal v Croatia team newsPSG midfielder Joao Neves is likely to be recalled to the starting XI after being benched against Colombia.Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has abandoned the three-man defence he employed against England and will stick with a back four.Portugal v Croatia World Cup 2026 predicted line-upsPortugal: Costa; Cancelo, Veiga, Dias, Mendes; Fernandes, Vitinha, Neves; Felix, Neto, RonaldoCroatia: Livakovi; Stanii, utalo, Pongrai, Perii; Modri, Kovai, P Sui, Vlai, Baturina, BudimirWhere to watch Portugal v Croatia: TV channel, live online streamsKick-off on Friday is at 00:00 BST (19:00 ET / 16:00 PT, both Thursday). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC One.Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.World Cup 2026: Portugal v Croatia statsPortugal have advanced despite failing to win two matches for the fourth time in the last five World Cup group phases, only suffering elimination during the 2014 stageThe Selecao had recorded at least 60% possession in their previous 12 matches before recording 45% against Colombia, which was their lowest since the Nations League final against Spain in June 2025Against Colombia, Vitinha became the first Portugal player to have 100% passing accuracy in a World Cup match with at least 20 passes attempted (54 of 54)Cristiano Ronaldos total of 25 appearances at the World Cup is the joint-second highest tally ever, alongside Germanys Lothar Matthaus (28)The Al-Nassr striker has been caught offside 11 times over the last two World Cup tournaments, which is four more than any other player (Frances Kylian Mbappe and Colombias Luis Diaz are on 7)Croatia have reached the knockout stage for the fourth time, doing so on each of the last three occasions (2018, 2022, 2026) after only featuring once in their first four appearances at the tournament (1998)Against Ghana, Petar Sucic (22 years, 245 days of age) became the second-youngest player to score for Croatia at the World Cup, behind Josko Gvardiol against Morocco in 2022 (20y 328d)Luka Modric (40y 291d) is the oldest player on record (since 1966) to provide an assist at the World CupNikola Vlasic has scored in three of his last four starts for Croatia in all competitions, with all three goals coming in different years (2024, 2025 and 2026)All of Ivan Perisics 20 appearances for Croatia at the World Cup have come as starts; the only outfielders to make more appearances with 100% of them as starts are Paolo Maldini (23), Diego Maradona (21) and Uwe Seeler (21).The average age of Croatias starting XI against Ghana (30y 94d) was their second-oldest for a World Cup match, behind only their side who won the third-place play-off 2-1 against Netherlands in 1998 (30y 126d)World Cup 2026: Portugal v Croatia predictionThis appears an excellent opportunity for Portugal to finally claim a statement win against a team on the way down.Prediction: Portugal 3-0 CroatiaResponsible GamblingGambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to generate income. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, there are several organisations you can contact for free, confidential support.National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week)GamCare: www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware: gambleaware.orgGamStop: www.gamstop.co.uk (free self-exclusion service)Tools available through bet365 include deposit limits, session time reminders, loss limits, self-exclusion and Reality Checks. These can be acce Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Bernardo Silva Bruno Fernandes Cristiano Ronaldo Croatia National Football Team diogo Dalot FIFA World Cup Joao Felix luka modric Portugal National Football Team Roberto Martinez Ruben Dias World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read England vs DR Congo: Three Lions nervous at World Cup 2026, admits Tuchel as boss promises match will not be a draw or glamorous and praises very emotional Pickford Ben Miller 1st July, 2026 Spain v Austria: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Jon Fisher 1st July, 2026 England v DR Congo: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Jon Fisher 1st July, 2026 USA v Bosnia and Herzegovina: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Jon Fisher 1st July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Where to watch England and games on TV, full BBC and ITV knockout stage listings, confirmed channels, schedule, live online streams, kick off times Ben Miller 1st July, 2026 Belgium v Senegal: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Jon Fisher 1st July, 2026
