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Cristiano Ronaldo has his sights set on his first-ever World Cup trophy. After a second-place finish in Group K, Portugal advanced to the round of 32. Portugal will face Croatia on Thursday at Toronto Stadium, competing for a round of 16 spot. But will Ronaldo play against Croatia? Here’s everything you need to know about Ronaldo’s status ahead of their knockout game: Is Ronaldo Playing Today? As Portugal’s captain and veteran striker, Portugal fans can expect Ronaldo to start and play the majority of Thursday’s game. Ronaldo started all three group stage matches and is an anchor in the Portuguese attack. Through three games, Ronaldo has scored two goals and played all 270 minutes. How Many World Cups Has Ronaldo Played In? Ronaldo is competing in his sixth World Cup, which ties Argentina’s Lionel Messi for most World Cups played in. Additionally, he's the only player to score in all six tournaments he’s competed in. In Ronaldo's 25 World Cup matches, he's scored 10 goals and two assists. Has Ronaldo Scored At The World Cup? Yes, Ronaldo has scored two goals, which both came against Uzbekistan in their 5-0 win. The 41-year-old currently has +6000 odds to win the tournament's Golden Boot award. How To Watch Portugal vs. Croatia solvita.blog

In the United States’ round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, striker Folarin Balogun was sent off with a red card after stepping on Bosnia and Herzegovina player Tarik Muharemović's ankle. That red-card decision by referee Rafael Claus — VAR reviewed Balogun's challenge — dropped the USA to 10 men for the duration of the game and leaves the team without Balogun for the round of 16 match against Belgium. It was a controversial call that will keep one of the Stars and Stripes' top goalscorers sidelined in a match with a quarterfinals berth on the line. The big question is: Is there a red card appeal process that can retract Balogun's one-game suspension? Simply, no. FIFA regulations (Article 9, Section 6) states that: "No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code." Furthermore, FIFA regulations (Article 10, Section 6) adds: "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card [second caution], they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed." What choice does U.S. Soccer have, if any? It could appeal any decision, but because this was a subjective referee decision — rather than a factually incorrect one, like a red card for contact when there clearly was none — FIFA will not consider it under its disciplinary code. However, if FIFA feels Balogun's challenge merits more than a one-game suspension and hands it down, then the U.S. could appeal that decision. Regardless, Balogun will sit out the round of 16 game against Belgium. "The problem with this is that FIFA sets such a high bar, especially when it’s a VAR intervention. It’s not clearly [factually] wrong by the referee," FOX Sports analyst and former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg said on World Cup NOW. "And, if they deem [Balogun's] challenge sufficient, they can upgrade this card from a one-match to anything they decide." Was The Red Card The Right Call? Clattenburg explained what happened in the play from his perspective. "When I watched this in real speed, I thought it was a coming together of two players," Clattenburg noted on World Cup NOW. "What you see is Balogun’s challenge does catch his opponent on the back of the leg, and when [his foot] comes down, it catches [Muharemović's] ankle. The problem is, the requirement of the red card [means there] has to be some speed, some force and some malice. This lacks that." He further explained why he disagrees with Balogun's red card. "But what it does have is," Clattenburg continued, "it endangers the safety of the opponent because of that foot-on-foot challenge, which could’ve acted and ended with a broken ankle. However, in my opinion, this didn’t endanger the safety of the opponent. Balogun doesn’t even look for the foul. It was an accidental challenge, and this doesn’t reach the [requirements] of a red card." Due to the nature of the process, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will still review the challenge and decide what comes next for Balogun — specifically, more than a one-match suspension. For Clattenburg, Balogun’s challenge did not seem worthy of a red card, or further consequences of a multi-game punishment. "FIFA disciplinary will look at this challenge [Thursday], and if they deem this a dangerous challenge which could have endangered the safety of this opponent, they can upgrade it," Clattenburg said. "I doubt it, in my opinion, because I believe that this was an accident, and they believe it was worthy of a red card. And that’s where they steer the red card. It should not be upgraded."

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