Rise of a Football God
Chapter 528 - 528: Round of 32; Croatia vs Paraguay

After 15 games since the knockout stage started, 15 games that stole the hearts of the footballing universe, giving back to back bangers on a daily basis, finally, it was the final Round of 32 game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

[FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32]

[Match 16: Croatia vs Paraguay]

[Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada]

[Date: July 7th, 2026]

[Kick-off: 18:00 local time]

[Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)]

It was the final Round of 32 game.

The atmosphere in Toronto, Canada was breezy and cool, but the tension in the stadium could be cut with a knife.

This was no ordinary match.

This was the last dance of Luka Modric, Croatia's eternal heartbeat. At 40 years old, he still led his nation, still set the tempo, still dreamed.

But Paraguay, full of muscle, momentum and youthful fire, didn't come to watch history; they came to rewrite it.

What followed was a clash of nostalgia vs ambition.

Croatia started in a 4-3-3, with Dominik Livakovic in goal, while ahead of him was the defensive quadruple of Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, and Sosa.

In midfield was the dynamic midfield trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric who potentially captained his nation for the last time, and Majer.

In attack was the trio of Perisic, Petkovic, and Kramaric.

For Paraguay, starting in a 4-4-2 formation, Antony Silva stood in goal while ahead of him was the defensive quadruple of Espinola, Balbuena, Alderete, and Arzamendia as the defensive stalwarts.

In midfield was the trio of Miguel Almiron, Cubas, Villasanti, and Jose Enciso, while the 2 strikers were Romero and Gonzalez.

FWEEE!

The referee's whistle blew, kick starting the game.

And like expected, Croatia's dynamic midfield quickly took control.

Even at the prime old age of 40, Luka Modric showed his timely brilliance on the pitch with the ball as he pinged the ball around with unerring accuracy, shuffling left, right, and center through the midfield, breaking press with effortless control.

Croatia controlled the tempo early, classic Modric orchestrating with grace.

Paraguay absolved the pressure, but then…

BAM!

Croatia scored.

A vintage moment in the 18th minute of the game. It came from a free kick from 25 yards out, whipped into the top corner with surgical precision.

Who?

Luka Modric!

1-0 Croatia.

Modric was launched in, and the world saw the brilliance of a 40-year old.

The bench rose. So did half the world.

But Paraguay responded.

In the 33rd minute, Paraguay struck back through a blistering counterattack.

Jose Enciso slipped Miguel Almiron through, who burst past Brozovic with blistering pace and curled it past a helpless Livakovic.

1-1.

Silence from the Croatian fans. Respect from all.

And the game was level again. Game on.

That goal gave Paraguay momentum, and for the next dozen minutes of the game, they fought with Croatia for midfield and total domination of the game.

Jose Enciso and Miguel Almiron buzzed on different sides of the pitch, threatening the Croatian defense anytime they had the ball.

But then, in the 41st minute, Croatia's Kramaric took a shot. A rocket from distance… but it only clattered the woodwork.

They were inches from reclaiming the lead.

The first half came to an end 1-1.

If the first half was a game of midfield dominance and moments of magic, the second half surrendered to a grueling physical game.

FWEEE!

The game restarted and immediately, Paraguay turned on the switch.

Croatia was old. Most of their best players were old and past their prime. They were supposed to be retired, but they were not tired. Not yet.

But Paraguay's coach didn't think so though. He thought otherwise.

The Paraguay coach expected the Croatian midfield dominance in the first half. That was why he told his players to be ready to suffer, and run themselves to the ground to keep Croatia's highly technical players from wreaking havoc.

His strategy for the second half?

He reckoned that after 45 minutes, Croatia's old legs would be tired already, so his strategy was run them to the ground!

Paraguay turned on the switch, raised the tempo of the game up a notch.

Paraguay started winning the duels. They made it ugly they made it tough.

And yet, somehow, Croatia still managed to play their game despite the aggressive press of their opponents.

Even more crazy was how, somehow, Luka Modric still kept on going, doing his thing in the middle of the pitch no matter how many times his opponents clattered against him.

In the 58th minute, Perisic's header was goal bound, but Paraguay's Antony Silva sprawled to his left and clawed it out. A heroic stop.

The tension in the stadium was rising.

The voices of the Paraguayan fans were rising higher.

But then…

BAM!

Croatia struck again in the 67th minute.

The cause? Peak technicality, patient build-up.

From Modric to Sosa, and then Sosa's low cross found Kramaric free at the back post who made no mistake, poking the ball into an empty net.

Technicality cut Paraguay's defense open like a hot knife through butter.

2-1 Croatia.

Back in front. Barely.

In the final stretch of the game, Croatia switched to desperate defense.

Paraguay launched everything.

Romero and Enciso tested Livakovic. A penalty shout in the 88th minute of the game was waved off after VAR check. Gvardiol was everywhere, snuffing out challenges with imperious efficiency.

In the 94th minute, Villasanti had Paraguay's last chance, a volley from a corner… but it was deflected wide by Sutalo.

The Croatian fans roared in celebration.

The final whistle followed seconds later.

Paraguay heartbreak.

[FULL-TIME: Croatia 2-1 Paraguay]

Croatia advanced to the Round of 16.

Modric walked off the pitch to a standing ovation. Paraguay, bold and brave, exited with heads high but hearts broken.

And Luka Modric added another man of the match award to his collection with 1 goal, a freekick, an assist, and a stunning 94% pass accuracy.

Like the commentator said:

"He played like time stood still. One last masterpiece from a living legend of the game".

At the end of the game, the Croatian head coach faced the media.

"We told Luka: 'You carry us one more time'. He smiled. And did it".