There are moments in football where you just have to stop and appreciate what you're watching, even if it's tinged with a little sadness. Portugal against Croatia is one of those games. Two legends, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo, both knowing this could very well be the last World Cup either of them ever plays in. No pressure lads.
Portugal midfielder Vitinha summed it up nicely on Wednesday when he described them as two great icons of world football. And honestly, you can't argue with that. Whatever you think of Ronaldo the Instagram brand or Modric's occasionally frustrating ability to make your team look completely average by comparison, these two have defined an era of football that younger fans will be telling their kids about.
Ronaldo at 37 is still turning up, still demanding the ball, still insisting he's the main character in every story he appears in. Some people find that exhausting. Others find it inspiring. Either way, it's hard to imagine a World Cup without him in it, and yet here we are, possibly staring at exactly that. Portugal have the squad to go deep in this tournament, genuinely, but they'll need Ronaldo to play his role rather than dominate every conversation about the team.
Modric on the other hand is just a joy to watch even now. Croatia have no right to be as competitive as they are at this level, and yet somehow they keep showing up. That's almost entirely down to the little midfielder from Zadar who has spent his entire career making the game look effortless. He's the kind of player that even United fans like this writer can admire without any bitterness whatsoever.
The match itself sets up beautifully. Croatia will be organised and disciplined, Portugal have the individual quality to unlock anyone on their day. It should be a proper game of football rather than a procession, which is all anyone really wants at a World Cup knockout stage.
Both of these players deserve a proper send-off if this is indeed the end. Hopefully the football delivers that for them.
Let me know your thoughts.