It was supposed to be a farewell for a legend in Toronto.

It was a blockbuster drama that may have been headlined by the icons, but was ultimately decided by an ensemble of supporting cast.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez defended the technology that ruled out Croatia's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against his side, saying the "chip" inside the match ball left no room for debate, while Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic lamented that VAR is stripping football of its emotion.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and Portugal's Roberto Martinez paid tribute on Friday to Luka Modric, who almost certainly played his last World Cup match.

Cristiano Ronaldo ended his World Cup knockout scoring drought as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 after extra-long stoppage time in a dramatic Round of 32 clash in Toronto, booking a last-16 meeting with Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set for another World Cup record when Portugal take on Croatia in their Round of 32 clash in Toronto today, with the occasion carrying added emotional weight as it coincides with the first death anniversary of Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

It is almost certainly the "last dance" on the global stage for two icons of the modern era, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.

Witness the legendary World Cup showdown in Toronto as captains Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric clash in the Round of 32. This emotional Portugal versus Croatia knockout match secures an enduring generational soccer legacy.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will make history when two outfield players aged over 40 face off for the first time in a World Cup as Portugal take on Croatia in Friday's last-32 clash.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will make history when two outfield players aged over 40 face off for the first time in a World Cup as Portugal take on Croatia in Friday's last-32 clash.

Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to claim second spot in Group L on Saturday to secure their passage to the last 32 of the World Cup.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic announced Monday a preliminary 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, to be led by veteran Luka Modric, the key architect of the country's historic success in recent years.

Luka Modric has undergone successful surgery after fracturing his left cheekbone, the Croatian Football Federation said on Monday, weeks before the 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder is due to participate in his fifth World Cup.

Modric said Mourinho’s directness set him apart. He recalled a striking moment involving Ronaldo during Mourinho’s tenure at the Bernabeu.

"I hope next time someone won't remind me of my age anymore!" joked 40-year-old Modric.

Luka Modric and AC Milan fell to a shock 2-1 home defeat to Cremonese,  enduring the worst possible start to their Serie A campaign on Saturday.  

When Snoop Dogg sang the praises of Swansea City, it signalled the unlikely arrival of the latest celebrity owner in the once unfashionable Championship, English football's second tier.

Returning to AC Milan for his second spell as manager, Massimiliano Allegri vowed Monday to rekindle the faltering Italian giants to their former glory with the addition of a "proven champion" like Luka Modric.

Croatia captain Luka Modric, who left Real Madrid after 13 years at the LaLiga club, has completed his move to AC Milan on a one-year deal with an option to extend until June 2027, the Serie A side said on Monday.

The curtain finally fell on Real Madrid midfield maestro Luka Modric's superlative career at the club after a drubbing by Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey, but in years to come, that will be forgotten.