Following the match, where Ronaldo was substituted, he demonstrated his profound respect for the Croatian captain, whose retirement from international duty remains in doubt. “I played many years with Modric, it’s great to see him still playing at top level,” Ronaldo told FOX Sports. “I told him: congrats Luka, good luck for the future of your career.”

It was a thrilling victory that stayed emotional until the final whistle. Even at the close of the match, Ronaldo was seen moved to tears while holding a Diogo Jota shirt, later explaining as to why he was so visibly emotional.

What’s next for Portugal

Portugal advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Spain, a highly formidable rival. The two sides previously clashed in the UEFA Nations League final, where the Portuguese emerged as champions, and this upcoming match is scheduled for July 6 at Dallas Stadium, where the Spaniards will be looking for revenge.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains completely focused ahead of the encounter, even though it could potentially be his final World Cup appearance, but he responded that he is not thinking about that right now.

“I don’t make reckless decisions,” Ronaldo told reporters postgame. “I will decide after the tournament, not now.” And with good reason. His sister made some comments regarding this before the match, and speculations have been swirling ever since.

Cristiano Ronaldo makes history

With the goal he scored today, Cristiano Ronaldo broke a record that not even Lionel Messi can achieve in this edition of the tournament. But beyond that, he snapped a drought that had persisted since his World Cup debut, finally netting his first-ever goal in the knockout stages.

Moreover, as Portugal barely hung on to advance to the Round of 16, and with the one-year anniversary of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva’s tragic passing approaching, Ronaldo broke down in tears as he paid tribute to the late Portuguese star, who would’ve been with the team at soccer’s biggest tournament.

After the World Cup‘s Round of 32 game came to an end and Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia was confirmed, the Lusos celebrated with their fans at Toronto Stadium. It was quite a miraculous victory. So many things had gone against Portugal, yet they caught so many lucky breaks that it almost seemed like there was something more at work.

Portugal honor Diogo Jota

Perhaps, some would say, it was Jota’s doing, as he keeps an eye on his countrymen. For those looking for coincidences or symbols, the final score was 2-1 to Portugal, and Jota just happened to wear No. 21 for his national team.

While it was Cristiano who donned Jota’s shirt as a tribute, the entire team and staff posed for a picture in which Ronaldo held Jota’s No. 21 shirt at the center. On July 3, it will be one year since Jota and Silva’s tragic passing in Spain. Everybody who knew them is still clearly trying to process it all.

If it’s any consolation, Ronaldo and Portugal managed to earn a victory so close to such a meaningful date. After the game, Ronaldo made sure to dedicate the win to Jota.

Liverpool unveil new memorial in tribute to Jota

With such an emotional date coming up in the calendar, Ronaldo and Portugal’s national team weren’t the only ones moved to tribute the late brothers. Liverpool, Jota’s club, unveiled a permanent memorial in Anfield, dedicated to Jota and Silva.

As for Portugal, they will continue to honor Jota throughout the 2026 World Cup. Determined to make history and win their first world championship, the Lusos may be drawing strength from one of their best players, who won’t be on the pitch but is always watching from above. Against Croatia, his presence was definitely felt.

Deep into added time, Mario Pašalić kept his composure inside the Portuguese penalty area to assist Joško Gvardiol, who had started the match on the bench. The defender slotted the ball home to seemingly level the score at 2-2, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch.

Everything appeared set for an additional 30 minutes of extra time. However, following a tense, lengthy VAR review, the officials determined that Pašalić was caught in an offside position after Igor Matanović slighlty touched the ball with his head, invalidating Gvardiol’s equalizer and officially securing the hard-fought 2-1 victory for Portugal.

Croatia failed to maintain the advantage

Following a scoreless first half, Croatia heap immense pressure on the Portuguese defense. Early in the second half, Ivan Perišić broke the deadlock to put the Vatreni ahead, a goal that forced Portugal to push forward with far greater attacking urgency.

Portugal’s equalizer eventually arrived when Cristiano Ronaldo finally found the back of the net in a World Cup knockout match. With momentum firmly on their side as the second half drew to a close, Gonçalo Ramos struck to make it 2-1 and complete the dramatic turnaround.

Despite a furious late push from Croatia—which so nearly yielded a legal equalizer—their efforts ultimately fell short. While the Vatreni pack their bags to return home, Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo march on to face Spain in a blockbuster Round of 16 showdown.

With this result, Croatia are officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with no remaining chances of keeping their tournament campaign alive, saying goodbye to their greatest historical icon, Luka Modric. The goal scored by Ivan Perisic in the 53rd minute was ultimately not enough to secure the victory.

Portugal remain in the fight to forge a path to the final, but they will have a difficult opponent ahead. In the Round of 16, Portugal will face Spain, with the matchup scheduled for July 6.

Croatia on the verge of an epic finish

The end of the match was filled with controversy. While Portugal maintained a 2-1 lead, with Cristiano Ronaldo already substituted, the referee decided to add 10 minutes of stoppage time. Not only that, but the official allowed play to run for three additional minutes, during which Croatia equalized the match following a goal by Josko Gvardiol. However, the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

This would have triggered chaos on the pitch, but the result ultimately went to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, who were also seen emotional after the match with a Diogo Jota shirt.

Ronaldo stepped up at the most crucial moment

The Portuguese national team suffered more than expected. When Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 54th minute, the team looked lost, lacking reaction and showing few soccer answers to change history.

But at the most delicate moment, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared. He took on the responsibility and scored the 1-1 equalizer from the penalty spot in the 65th minute.

It was a key goal, not only to keep Portugal alive but also to break one of the most notable pending milestones of his career: his first goal in a World Cup knockout stage. Additionally, he secured a record that Lionel Messi cannot achieve in this World Cup.

But, as he mentioned prior to the World Cup, it marks the retirement of Luka Modri from Croatia, who cemented his status as an all-time great anchoring Real Madrid’s midfield and leading Croatia to the absolute pinnacle of global soccer.

Following a legendary, trophy-laden career at Real Madrid and the emotional end of an era with AC Milan last season, Modric has officially decided to hang up his boots. With his 41st birthday approaching in September and the physical demands of the game taking their toll, the iconic playmaker has chosen to call it a career.

Now, with Croatia eliminated from the World Cup and his playing days behind him, Modric will transition to life off the pitch. While his immediate focus shifts away from the field, a future in the game looms large, as speculation builds that the midfield maestro could soon transition into coaching or join the Croatian national team’s technical staff.

Modric’s career highlights and legacy

Modric permanently cemented his legacy during a legendary tenure with Real Madrid, defying expectations to transform from a heavily scrutinized £30 million signing out of Tottenham into the most decorated player in the club’s storied history.

Anchoring an iconic midfield trio alongside Casemiro and Toni Kroos, the Croatian maestro orchestrated the pitch to claim 28 major trophies with Los Blancos, highlighted by an incredible six UEFA Champions League titles.

His defining club moment arrived during the 2014 La Decima final, where his precise, 93rd-minute corner assist to Sergio Ramos rescued the match and ignited a modern era of European dominance. Modric’s masterful vision and signature trivela—the technical art of passing and shooting with the outside of the boot—became his calling card, defining a generation of elite midfield play.

Here is a look at his historic resume:

• 2018 Ballon d’Or winner: Broke the historic, decade-long stranglehold of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to claim football’s ultimate individual honor.
• The FIFA Best Men’s Player & UEFA Player of the Year (2018) * IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker (2018)
• 6x UEFA Champions League champion: Tied for the most European Cup titles in football history.
• 28 major trophies: Stands alone as the most decorated player to ever wear the iconic Real Madrid kit.

Following the definitive outcome, Portugal are locked into a highly anticipated, border-rivalry clash against Spain in the next round, with the date and venue officially confirmed. Meanwhile, Modric heads home, finally getting a chance to step away from the pitch for some much-needed vacation time.

The decision was entirely tactical, as Ronaldo showed no signs of discomfort or any physical setback. Because Ronaldo had already played 80 minutes and was fatigued—though not to the point of asking to be replaced—Martinez opted to shuffle the pieces in Portugal‘s lineup. In came Ruben Neves, a midfielder, to balance out the Lusos’ lineup, as they had been struggling to contain Croatia’s surges.

In fact, just before Ronaldo was subbed off, Croatia had a goal disallowed due to a marginal offside. Still, taking Ronaldo off the field when the game felt headed for extra time and a penalty shootout in the 2026 World Cup was a decision Martinez may have never lived down.

Ronaldo couldn’t believe the substitution

Often, images are worth even more than a thousand words. With Ronaldo, who never shies away from showing his emotions, that tends to be the case. Thus, as the fourth official raised the digital board indicating Portugal’s No. 7 was coming off, Ronaldo’s face was a poem—though not exactly one Martinez may have wanted to read. He couldn’t believe the decision.

Ronaldo had just scored from the spot to tie the game, and with the match seemingly headed for extra time—and potentially a penalty shootout—he was subbed off. However, it all paid off in the end. Goncalo Ramos, who took over as Portugal’s main striker after Ronaldo was substituted, scored with a header to win it 2-1 for the Lusos over Croatia.

Ronaldo’s game vs. Croatia

After battling rumors and drama throughout the tournament, Ronaldo didn’t have his best game against Croatia, but he still stepped up when his team needed him. He scored from the penalty spot to tie the game and would’ve scored a beautiful goal earlier if it hadn’t been for a VAR-reviewed offside. Croatia also had a goal disallowed for offside though, and it came in a bigger moment of the game.

With his sister saying the 2026 World Cup would be Ronaldo’s last dance, Cristiano brushed everything aside and delivered a performance to be proud of. Even if Portugal had been eliminated, he had left his mark. Fortunately, the road continues for Portugal, who are headed to the Round of 16. Ronaldo then celebrated with Diogo Jota’s shirt, as the striker was seen in tears while remembering his late friend.

Following a dangerous Portuguese corner kick, defender Renato Veiga was dragged down in the box while fighting for position, prompting a crucial VAR intervention. After a quick video review at the monitor, the referee pointed to the spot, awarding Portugal a massive penalty kick.

With the resulting conversion, Cristiano Ronaldo shattered a historic World Cup record that longtime rival Lionel Messi can no longer surpass in 2026. The milestone strike keeps Portugal‘s tournament aspirations firmly alive, with their legendary captain leading the charge.

Cristiano kept Portugal alive

After falling behind 1-0 to a resilient Croatia squad, this crucial equalizer completely breathed new life into Portugal for the remainder of the match. While the final outcome was already decided, Cristiano tried to continue to hunt for a decisive second goal to carry his country over the finish line, but he was just subbed off.

Operating without Cristiano, Portugal found the alternative spark in the final third to secure passage into the next round. Gonzalo Ramos’ header was enough for the Portuguese side to win the game against Croatia.

What’s next for Portugal?

Having punched their ticket to the Round of 16, Portugal are on a collision course with Spain for a blockbuster knockout clash with the date and venue officially locked in. All eyes now turn to the availability of Cristiano, whose status dominates the headlines after he was subbed off during the second half of their previous match.

The stage is officially set for an absolute classic on soccer’s grandest stage. Coming off a thrilling victory that simultaneously sealed the international fate of Luka Modric and Croatia, the Portuguese squad looks to maintain its furious momentum and continue its march toward a historic World Cup title.

What makes those achievements even more impressive is the country’s size. With a population of fewer than four million people, Croatia has repeatedly produced elite talent capable of challenging much larger nations.

At the center of that success stands Luka Modric, widely regarded as the greatest player in Croatian soccer history and one of the finest midfielders of his generation.

Has Croatia ever won the World Cup?

No. Croatia has never won the World Cup. However, it has come remarkably close and has established itself as one of the most successful national teams of the modern era despite its relatively short history.

Croatia’s first great World Cup generation

Croatia announced itself to the soccer world at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. Led by legendary striker Davor Suker, the team reached the semifinals in its first-ever World Cup appearance as an independent nation before finishing third after defeating the Netherlands. That historic run immediately established Croatia as one of Europe’s emerging soccer powers.

What’s Croatia’s best performance in World Cup history?

When Luka Modric became the leader of the national team, many believed matching the success of 1998 would be nearly impossible. Instead, Croatia surpassed it.

At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Croatia reached its first World Cup final after defeating Denmark, Russia, and England in the knockout stage. Although the team ultimately lost the final to France, it remains the greatest achievement in Croatian soccer history.

That unforgettable tournament also helped Luk Modric win the 2018 Ballon d’Or, ending the decade-long dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. A remarkable year.

Croatia remained among the world’s elite

Croatia proved that its success was no fluke by delivering another outstanding campaign at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The team advanced to the semifinals once again before being eliminated by Lionel Messi and eventual champion Argentina. Croatia bounced back by defeating Morocco in the third-place match to secure another World Cup medal.

Considering the country’s small population, its recent independence, and the fierce competition in both Europe and world soccer, Croatia’s World Cup legacy ranks among the most impressive international success stories of the modern era.

Portugal and Croatia will square off in Toronto, Canada, in a highly anticipated Round of 32 showdown. Neither squad has been quite as dominant as expected during the group stages, with even Croatia’s FIFA ranking changing for this game against Portugal.

There are several surprises across both starting lineups. For Croatia, the decision to bench star defender Josko Gvardiol stands out the most. Manager Zlatko Dalic, whose profile is outstanding, has opted to keep him among the substitutes in a bold tactical move following some shaky performances earlier in this World Cup.

Josko Gvardiol’s underwhelming 2026 World Cup

This isn’t the first time the center-back has missed out on the opening whistle; Gvardiol started on the bench during Croatia’s crucial match against Ghana as well. He struggled significantly in the opening fixtures against England and Panama, registering uncharacteristically low sub-5.0 match ratings in both games.

Gvardiol was widely regarded as one of the finest defensive talents on the planet during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Newertheless, four years later, he has struggled to replicate that same imperious form, and his uncharacteristic lapses have heavily impacted Croatia’s defensive stability.

Croatia’s starting lineup to face Portugal

The outcome of this heavyweight clash between Portugal and Croatia will completely reshape the rest of the 2026 World Cup bracket. For that reason, Dalic has chosen continuity, electing to field the exact same lineup used to secure their progression against Ghana.

Here is the official Croatia starting XI tasked with shutting down Portugal tonight: Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josip Sutalo; Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric (C), Nikola Vlasic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic; Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic.

Head coach Roberto Martinez spent the past week defending Cristiano Ronaldo while hinting at changes for the knockout clash, but Silva ultimately failed to crack the rotation for today’s blockbuster fixture.

With Toronto ready to host Portugal vs. Croatia, fans are eager to see which version of Portugal shows up. Following an inconsistent group-stage run—which featured hard-fought draws against Colombia and DR Congo, alongside a dominant 5-0 dismantling of Uzbekistan fueled by a Cristiano brace—the Portuguese are desperate to prove they belong in the tournament’s tier of true title contenders.

Armed with an analytical scouting report on Croatia’s updated FIFA ranking, Martinez’s squad has a prime opportunity to punch its ticket to the next round. Both Portugal and Croatia are playing with their away uniforms.

Has Bernardo Silva cracked Portugal’s starting XI this tournament?

Despite being fully fit, Silva has emerged as one of the most surprising omissions from Portugal’s starting lineups during this 2026 World Cup campaign. The veteran playmaker has logged just under 60 minutes across the entire competition, relegated to brief second-half appearances off the bench against DR Congo and Uzbekistan.

However, he remains a lethal weapon in reserve for Portugal today; in a high-stakes knockout match where a draw after 90 minutes triggers a grueling extra-time period, his fresh legs could prove to be the ultimate x-factor. Joao Felix isn’t starting either for Portugal against Croatia.

Who is Martinez starting over Silva?

Looking at Portugal’s confirmed tactical shape, the creative role typically reserved for Silva is being occupied by Pedro Neto. The dynamic winger earned his spot on the back of a breakout run with Chelsea during the 2025 Club World Cup, forcing his way into Martinez’s preferred tournament lineup.

With the officiating crew assigned, the Portuguese bench remains incredibly deep. That luxury includes Silva, the maestro who recently made waves by leaving Manchester City to join Real Madrid ahead of the upcoming club season. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo though, as his sister suggested this could be his last dance.

Felix not starting is a mere tactical decision by the coach. The Portugal manager has used Joao Felix as a starter in two of the 2026 World Cup games but now will favor another winger. After all, there are too many consequences depending on if Portugal win, tie, or lose vs. Croatia.

It is still very likely that Martinez will use Felix at some point in the second half as a substitute. Felix is very technical, but given how the Portugal lineup vs Croatia is picturing, Martinez will lean into explosiveness rather than technique.

Rafael Leao will start over Joao Felix for Portugal vs Croatia

Pedro Neto and Cristiano Ronaldo, who might be in his last dance according to his sister, have seen most of the minutes on the attacking side. The left winger slot has been an issue for Martinez, as he’s traded many names. First, it was Neto before moving him to the right side, then Felix, and now it will be the time for Rafael Leao.

Leao has been used as a super sub but Martinez will trust him to create impact from the get-go. Croatia is a slow team and Leao’s speed and explosiveness could prove very helpful in this game.

Portugal confirmed lineup vs Croatia

Martinez will use his patented 4-3-3 lineup for this game vs Croatia. The lineup looks as follows: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo. As you can see, Bernardo Silva is also not starting for Portugal vs. Croatia.

Croatia’s lineup against Portugal

Meanwhile, the opponents’ lineup will also have a notable absence as Josko Gvardiol isn’t starting for Croatia. Croatia’s starting eleven: Dominik Livakovic, Josip Sutalo, Marin Pongracic, Ivan Perisic, Josip Stanisic, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Nikola Vlasic, Ante Budimir.