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FourFourTwo
Sport
Ryan Gray

Who is Espen Eskas? The referee for Portugal vs Croatia

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 21: Referee Espen Eskas looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Uruguay and Cabo Verde at Miami Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Pimentel/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images).

Croatia and Portugal are set to face one another in Toronto this evening for a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

It will be the final game held in the Canadian city and it could also be the final World Cup match for one of football's veterans with one of Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo heading out tonight.

Here's who will be in charge of this evening's game.

Experienced Norwegian official to take charge

Norwegian referee Espen Eskas will take charge of Portugal vs Croatia (Image credit: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Norwegian official Espen Eskas is set to take charge of this huge match, making his second appearance on the pitch at the tournament.

Previously, he took charge of Uruguay's draw against Cape Verde.

Espen Eskas refereed Uruguay vs Cape Verde at the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, he has also been involved in other matches, including Scotland's 3-0 group stage defeat to Brazil that ultimately knocked them out of the tournament.

Eskas was on fourth official duties for that particular match.

The 37-year-old official is actually younger than both Ronaldo and Modric but has already featured in plenty of high profile matches.

While he predominantly referees in Norway's top tier, he has also featured in Champions League games and worked as a fourth official at the 2024 Euros.

He will be joined for tonight's match by his compatriots Jan Erik Engan and Isaak Bashevkin. The pair will be assisting from the touchlines.

The game could be Cristiano Ronaldo's last at a World Cup if Portugal lose (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Norwegians will be joined by a South African pair in the shape of fourth official Abongile Tom and Zakhele Siwela.

The game will kick off at midnight UK time and will be shown live on BBC One.

Portugal won one of their three group stage matches to reach the final 32, while Croatia beat both Panama and Ghana after losing 4-2 to England in their opening game.

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