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 it’s 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. I’m 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. Don’t 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 Portugal’s 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 riches but 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.
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World Cup 2026: Portugal v Croatia team news
PSG 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-ups
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Veiga, Dias, Mendes; Fernandes, Vitinha, Neves; Felix, Neto, Ronaldo
Croatia: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Perišić; Modrić, Kovačić, P Sučić, Vlašić, Baturina, Budimir
Where to watch Portugal v Croatia: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-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 stats
- Portugal 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 stage
- The 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 2025
- Against 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 Ronaldo’s total of 25 appearances at the World Cup is the joint-second highest tally ever, alongside Germany’s 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 (France’s Kylian Mbappe and Colombia’s 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 Cup
- Nikola 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 Perisic’s 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 Croatia’s 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 prediction
This appears an excellent opportunity for Portugal to finally claim a statement win against a team on the way down.
Prediction: Portugal 3-0 Croatia
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