Cristiano Ronaldo strikes and Portugal survives a wild World Cup clash with Croatia

40-year-old Luka Modric, Croatia's own iconic player, likely has finished his World Cup career

Published Jul 02, 2026  •  Last updated 17 minutes ago  •  4 minute read

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Portugal and Croatia at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on July 2, 2026. Photo by Cole Burston /Getty Images

For the better part of two days, the impassioned fans of his sport and his country paid homage to 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best to ever do it.

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It was like Toronto was Madeira, the extent of the love-in that stopped traffic in the city and turned the Portugal team hotel into a soccer shrine.

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On Thursday, the worship turned to euphoria as Ronaldo’s brilliant goal on a second-half penalty kick helped Portugal to a dramatic 2-1 Round of 32 victory over Croatia.

What unfolded before a boisterous and thoroughly entertained sellout crowd of 43,036 was what fans of the sport, and particularly those who still felt that Ronaldo can lead Portugal to World Cup glory, had hoped for. The legendary superstar played a pivotal role in a monumental win.

So much emotion, so many waves of momentum all added to sporting cinema at its finest — complete with high drama and a controversial ending — and yet another highlight for the living legend.

A game likely to have been watched by more people around the world than any event ever staged in this country lived up to its billing with an unbelievable finish, one that sent Ronaldo to at least one more moment in the biggest tournament in sports.

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The sixth and final game played in Toronto was the best yet, one for the ages, both for the Ronaldo presence and for how deliciously it delivered.

On the flip side, Croatia’s own iconic player, 40-year-old Luka Modric, is likely to see his World Cup career end in heartbreak.

The two embraced at midfield after the game, central characters in one of the most anticipated games in the tournament. Only one could advance.

Could this finally be the moment which leads to the biggest prize yet for Ronaldo and his legion of fans? What has become an increasingly compelling World Cup continues for one of the best to ever do it.

What did Ronaldo do in Toronto?

He was substituted out in the 82nd minute — and Ronaldo was not pleased about it — but not without leaving his mark on one of the most important games every played by his countrymen.

There was magic left in that aging right leg of Ronaldo, as he buried a penalty attempt in the 68th minute to get Portugal on the board, erasing an early Croatia lead. It was redemption for a would-be brilliant goal earlier in the second half that was ruled offside.

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And now, one of the most famous footballers in history will live to see at least another match, on to a Round of 16 date with Spain next week.

It was a glorious day and night in Toronto, one thick with drama and emotion, fitting of one of the most anticipated matchups in the Round of 32.

The Croatians, so proud of their history and presence in the sport here, could taste victory, striking first. But by the time Ronaldo had his penalty opportunity, the stadium was going wild, the larger and louder Portuguese contingent taking over.

Though he wasn’t on the field for the incredible conclusion, Ronaldo was voted the player of the match, the heart and soul of his Portuguese side. The fact that one of the substitutes, Goncalo Ramos, scored the winning goal added yet another delicious layer to the incredible night.

The final chapter

Only one of Modric or Ronaldo would be left standing in this, their final stab at a World Cup, in so many ways the big storyline of the night.

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They were legends meeting one more time, with sky-high stakes, but the pair are far from bitter adversaries. Decorated teammates at Real Madrid from 2012 to 2018, this World Cup was always going to be their final opportunity to get it across the line.

“We’re talking about players who stand above public opinion,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez put it eloquently and accurately prior to the game. “They stand above it all because of their longevity in the game make them special.

“As for anyone who talks about (their) age. Age is just a number.”

Though he is overshadowed by his more famous foe, Modric’s career deserves to be celebrated as well. Like Ronaldo, he hasn’t lifted the World Cup trophy, though has come closer, finishing second in 2018 in Russia.

Two decades strong

The World Cup legacy of Ronaldo, as we know, spans 20 years, almost to the day. In fact, it was July 1 in a steamy stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, that the then 21-year-old had his first big moment.

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The clinching goal in penalties allowed Portugal to knock off England, a feat that not only sent them to the quarterfinals, but raised expectations for the future of the soccer-proud nation and its young superstar.

Portugal has not made it further than it did that year, however leaving a third-place finish in 1966, its World Cup debut, as the best result.

It’s almost unfathomable, given the accomplishments Ronaldo has amassed away from the World Cup. The game Thursday marked his 26th match in the tournament, second most to only Argentina legend Lionel Messi, with 29.

And now there’s one more. At least.

Heartbreaking ending

Though VAR replays clearly showed the correct call, the evening wouldn’t be complete without a wild conclusion, one in which the Croatians thought they had forced extra periods.

In the 13th minute of added time, Joško Gvardiol appeared to have scored. The Croatian fans in the south end, where the apparent goal happened, went crazy — first in joy and then in frustration as they peppered the field with water bottles.

Modric and his teammates were initially irate and eventually just crushed as the ruling to deny the would-be equalizer was announced.

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