Ronaldo provides another memorable moment, Portugal moves on at World Cup

TORONTO — Cristiano Ronaldo trudged to the centre circle.

Portugal’s captain had just watched Croatia grab a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute of a win-or-go home World Cup match.

Ivan Perisic and his teammates were celebrating an unlikely opener in front of a pulsating Toronto Stadium south stand packed with their checkered-shirt supporters.

Making what was potentially his final appearance on the pitch at the global showcase, Ronaldo proceeded to step on the gas and provide another memorable moment with the sun continuing to set on a highlight-filled international career.

Then the 41-year-old striker had to wait and wonder.

Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot after also having what would have been a jaw-dropping finish called back before watching an enthralling final act from the bench that saw Portugal grab a late winner — and then survive a Croatian equalizer that was called back for offside deep in stoppage time.

Goncalo Ramos rose to meet a cross in the 94th minute as the European giants moved into the round of 16 with a 2-1 victory on a thrilling, enthralling Thursday that ended Toronto’s World Cup adventure.

“First half, we dominated the game,” said Ronaldo, who donned a Diogo Jota jersey at full time a day before the one-year anniversary of the midfielder’s death in car crash. “In second half after the goal, we get a little bit (of) panic, but this is football.

“After the penalty, I think it was a little bit better for us. We created a few chances and I think, at the end of the day, we deserved to win the match.”

Portugal will face Spain in a mouth-watering showdown Monday in Arlington, Texas, for a spot in the quarterfinals.

“We’re very happy,” Portuguese head coach Roberto Martinez said. “We played with our heart in the second half.”

Ronaldo helped lead that charge.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner as the world’s top player controlled a looping pass with his usual deft touch and flicked the ball past Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in the 61st minute only to see the linesman’s flag go up just as he prepared to unleash his usual “Siuuu” goal celebration.

Despite the frustration, Ronaldo did his best to rev up Portugal’s support in front of the red-clad north stand at a venue that will return to its regular BMO Field moniker after the tournament.

The Euro 2016 winners eventually got level through their talisman after Portuguese defender Renato Veiga was hauled down by Croatian midfielder Nikola Vlasic on a corner kick.

After the video assistant referee intervened on the sequence in question, Ronaldo stepped up to the penalty spot and delivered an 11th World Cup goal — his third of 2026 and first-ever in the knockout stage — following a stutter step and cool finish down the middle before finally completing the “Siuuu” near the corner flag in the 68th minute.

Then came a surprise.

Ronaldo, who has spent the last 3 1/2 seasons playing for Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia following a banner career that included stops at Manchester United and Real Madrid, was subbed off 13 minutes later with extra time looming large.

Ramos, however, sparked wild celebrations when he headed Portugal into the lead off a pinpoint Rafael Leao cross into a crowd of defenders for what looked like the winning goal — and ended with a hug from Ronaldo.

Croatia, with its 40-year-old captain and midfield maestro Luka Modric also potentially playing his final World Cup match, desperately surged forward with almost 13 minutes on the clock in added time and appeared to score an improbable 2-2 goal that left Ronaldo shaking his head on the sidelines before an offside reprieve from VAR.

“You don’t want to go home,” Ramos said of keeping Portugal in the tournament. “I want to be in the big moments.”

Ronaldo and his teammates have a chance for at least one more.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2026.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press