Portugal, Croatia to face off in Toronto's last World Cup match

Fans across the Greater Toronto Area are getting hyped for a nail-biting game between Portugal and Croatia at the final World Cup match being held at Toronto Stadium Thursday.

The winner of the knockout Round of 32 game will go on to challenge either Spain or Austria in the next round. Stakes will be even higher as this could be the final World Cup match for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Croatia's Luka Modrić , 40.

An ongoing extreme heat warning may throw a wrench into some celebration plans with Nathan Phillips Square watch parties being cancelled on Thursday and residents being warned to limit exposure to the sun and heat.

Many soccer fans are expected to take part in parades today with Portugal's march starting at 3:30 p.m. at Toronto's Stanley Park and Croatian fans, along with their 100-metre flag, setting off from Croatia House around 5 p.m.

Toronto is ending on a high by hosting these two legendary players, said Croatia fan Iva Grbešic.

While Croatia might seem small, the team has been mighty throughout the FIFA process, she told CBC Radio's Metro Morning.

"You're playing Portugal, you're going to be nervous. But Croatians are used to punching above their weight class," she said.

Portugal fan Steve Melo said he had to "break the bank" to get tickets to today's game, but is super excited to see the team he grew up watching.

"This is a dream come true," he said. "It's all about the community and everybody together, fans from both sides. It's going to be a part of."

Melo is expecting hundreds of people to show up to the parade to represent Portugal and Ronaldo ahead of the game.

Fans making their way downtown to watch the game are being warned of an extreme heat warning with humidity that could make it feel like 42 C in Toronto. There is also a risk of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening with wind gusts up to 50 km/h.

FIFA Fan Festival is expected to remain open with enhanced heat relief measures in place, such as misting stations and shaded cooling areas.

The TTC said it would divert some bus routes due to "large fan marches," including the 63 Ossington, 504 King, 509 Harbourfront and 511 Bathurst.

'A gift' to see Portugal play in Toronto: fans

Hundreds of fans crowded downtown Toronto Wednesday to catch a glimpse of Ronaldo arriving in the city.

Anna Nguyen, a diehard Ronaldo fan, was amongst the throng waiting to see her role model. With tears in her eyes, she said the Portuguese striker is a big inspiration to many.

"Even though he is very cocky, he owns it and is not afraid to represent it and also has a good spirit on top of that too," she said.

Mississauga resident Paulo Moreira said it's "a gift" to see his home country Portugal play in Toronto.

He had a special message for Modrić, warning him that today's match would be his final World Cup appearance: "Sorry, I like you too, you're a good player," he said. "But Cristiano is better and he deserves the World Cup for everything he did in the football world."

Etobicoke resident Joe Da Silva said Portugal has all the ingredients to win the tournament and just need to "put the spices together" to achieve that goal.

Fan Kelly Hromadmik flew in all the way from Croatia for the "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to see the team play in the next round of the World Cup.

She said Modrić was her favourite player and that she was ecstatic for the chance to see him play.

"Croatia is going to win the World Cup, baby!" she said.

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