Portugal secured a place in the World Cup 2026 round of 16 by turning the match against Croatia into a 2‑1 comeback win on the night of July 2 in Toronto. Rafael Leão, still buzzing, said the squad wants the trophy for Cristiano Ronaldo, calling it “what he’s missing.”

How did the match unfold?

The Portuguese side began the second half under pressure but found the net at the 55th minute when Renato Veiga earned a penalty and Leão converted, opening the scoring. The forward also nearly netted a spectacular goal, ruled out for offside, before captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first knockout‑stage World Cup goal at the 68th minute. Croatia pulled one back at the 78th, yet Portugal held on until the final whistle.

Why dedicate the title to Ronaldo?

Leão explained that after 36 minutes of the second half, manager Roberto Martínez substituted Ronaldo for Rúben Neves to keep the captain’s mind clear. “We want to give this trophy to Cris, it’s what he’s missing,” Leão told the press conference in Vancouver, highlighting the veteran’s relentless effort in preparation and the need to shield him from criticism.

What’s the next challenge?

With qualification sealed, Portugal faces Spain on Monday, July 6, at 16:00 Brasília time, in a match that will decide who moves on among the tournament’s eight best. The clash against Spain promises tension, as both sides carry histories of fierce encounters in earlier stages.

What does this mean for Ronaldo’s career?

This marks Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup appearance. Hours before the game, Kátia Aveiro hinted it could be the veteran’s farewell to World Cups, but Ronaldo chose not to comment. After the win, he dedicated the victory to Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident a year earlier, underscoring the emotional weight still bearing on the seasoned star.