Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first goal in the World Cup finals! He helped Portugal reach the last 16.
The 41-year-old soccer icon scored a second-half goal in Portugal’s 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia on Thursday, July 2, at BMO Field in Toronto to advance to the last 16.
Gonzalo Ramos scored Portugal’s go-ahead goal in added time in the second half, when Ronaldo had already been substituted, and victory seemed certain. Croatia then appeared to have scored an equalizer deep into stoppage time, but a review found an offside violation during the build-up.
The loss could mean Croatia captain Luka Modric will play his last World Cup match.
Portugal will face Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to his late teammate Diogo Jota after Portugal beat Croatia to reach the last 16. The soccer star wore a red Portugal jersey with the number 21 on his back and continued to shake hands with his teammates and Croatian players. He also waved to Portuguese supporters and even held up Jota’s shirt for a team photo.
Jota died in a car accident along with Andre Silva about a year ago. On the day of the World Cup match, Liverpool unveiled a sculpture in honor of both players.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric are among the few players with 200 caps for their national team. The two legends showed respect for each other after Ronaldo’s Portugal defeated Modric’s Croatia. The two hugged and exchanged words, with Ronaldo putting his hand on Modric’s shoulder.
Portugal defeated Croatia and advanced to the last 16.
Croatia scores the equalizer in the last minute! The ball rebounded and Josko Gvardiol chipped it into the goal. However, the officials canceled the goal because Mario Pašalic was offside.
Learn why the ball was ruled offside here.
For Portugal, Gonzalo Ramos scored a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. He received a rainbow pass from Rafael Leão and headed home to give Portugal a 2-0 lead. He was mobbed by teammates and Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to congratulate him.
There are 10 minutes left in the second half of the match between Portugal and Croatia in the round of 32. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Coach Roberto Martínez decided that Cristiano Ronaldo had contributed enough with his goal and pulled the soccer icon out in the 81st minute. Ruben Neves replaced Ronaldo. As Ronaldo sat on the bench, fans could see his knee bleeding. There were no reports that he was injured.
Petar Sučić sprinted down the pitch and smashed the ball into the goal. He began celebrating by putting the ball under his shirt as if he were pregnant, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores his first goal in the World Cup finals! He lasered a penalty kick in the 68th minute. He approached the ball and took a shot, flicking it past the goalie.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner ran around the corner of the pitch with his arms outstretched and jumped up and down in celebration. He was greeted by a large group of teammates.
Ronaldo’s goal in his ninth World Cup match was the game-tying goal. A VAR review found that Nikola Vlasic had brought down Renato Veiga in the box, and Portugal were awarded a penalty.
Cristiano Ronaldo almost scored his first ever goal in a World Cup final! He received a long pass, tapped the ball, ran a few steps, and smashed the ball into the goal. However, he was flagged for offside and the goal was canceled. A VAR examination revealed that the football icon was indeed offside with his shoulder.
Luka Modric was given a penalty.
Croatia almost scored two goals in 3 minutes! However, Nikola Vlasic was ruled offside after slipping in to score.
Croatia is also participating! Ivan Perisic scored his first goal of the match in the 53rd minute. Josip Stanisic kicked the ball into the net and Igor Matanovic missed his header. Perisic received a touch on the left side of the goal and smashed the ball in.
This goal made it 1-0 for Croatia.
The first big move of the second half is to Croatia! Igor Matanovic dribbled and was picked up by Mateo Kovacic. He dribbled quickly and placed the ball just to the left of the goal.
Portugal and Croatia will take to the pitch once again to battle for a place in the Round of 16.
Portugal and Croatia entered the halftime break scoreless.
The match between Croatia and Portugal will have four minutes added to the first half.
Booing erupted at BMO Field, apparently from Croatian fans. They seemed to be booing Ronaldo and the referee.
Cristiano Ronaldo was once again in action in front of the net. Francisco Conceição kicked the ball towards goal and ran towards it hoping to push it in, but he tangled with a Croatian defender and the ball bounced back. After the play, Ronaldo knelt down and shook his head.
Croatia have not had possession of the ball for most of the match so far. Nikola Vlasic tried to play for his country on the fast break but was ruled offside.
Neither Portugal nor Croatia scored during the hydration break in the middle of the first half. Portugal have threatened several times but have not yet decided on anything.
As both players went to get the ball, Ruben Dias pushed Ante Budimir. The Portuguese player was given a yellow card for this foul.
Portugal were awarded a corner kick. Nuno Mendes kicked the ball in and Renato Veiga tried to head it in for the first goal of the match, but the ball went over the goal.
Portugal were awarded a free kick. Cristian Ronaldo lined up and kicked the ball directly into a group of Croatian players.
Pedro Neto kicks the ball up towards Cristiano Ronaldo, who tries to head it. The ball bounced just to the left of the net.
Ronaldo has never scored a goal in a World Cup final tournament.
Portugal is under threat from the beginning! Bruno Fernandes took a shot towards goal, which goalkeeper Dominik Livaković deflected away. Fernandes grabbed the rebound and tried to score another goal, but the ball bounced off a group of players.
Portugal and Croatia began their World Cup Round of 32 match at BMO Field in Toronto.
Portugal vs Croatia highlights
Watch every World Cup match on Fubo
What time is the match between Portugal and Croatia?
The matchup kicks off at 7pm ET.
The best-of-32 games will be held at BMO Field in Toronto.
Seth Terny: Portugal 1-2 Croatia
After watching the group stage, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Cristiano Ronaldo is the anchor that drags this Portuguese team down. The battle-hardened Croatian team, which has always improved its ability in the World Cup finals, is not an ideal opponent at the moment.
john arnold: Portugal 1-1 Croatia (Portugal won in penalty shootout)
Luka Modric will be the 40-year-old legend bidding farewell to the World Cup after this game, but just barely after he and his veteran teammates pushed Portugal to the limit.
Jesse Yomtov: Portugal 1-1 Croatia (Croatia won in penalty shootout)
Croatia will dig deeper into that result and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career.
victoria hernandez: Portugal 0 – 2 Croatia
Portugal haven’t done anything impressive so far. Croatia are playing with a hungry spirit and are even more motivated to pay homage to their country’s legend.
Today’s Portugal national team lineup
Diogo Costa, Ruben Diaz, Renato Veiga, Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vicinha, Cristiano Ronaldo (C), Rafael Leon, Pedro Neto
2026 World Cup Team Complete Roster
Croatia lineup today
Dominik Livakovic, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongrasic, Josip Staro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric (C), Nikola Vlasic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sutic, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic
Croatia are wearing Nike’s away kit, which features the country’s characteristic checkered pattern on a bright blue base.
The Portugal team is wearing Puma’s away uniform, which is white with a triangular design at the top and a light blue wave pattern.
After a career with European clubs Everton and Swansea, people first started remembering Roberto Martínez’s name when he was manager of the Belgium national team. The Red Devils had an incredible performance in the 2018 competition, finishing third with Romelu Lukaku the team’s all-time top scorer. The Spaniard joined Portugal in 2023 and was tasked with helping Cristiano Ronaldo win a few more trophies.
Zlatko Dalic turned Croatia into a legendary soccer powerhouse. He signed with the team in 2017 and quickly gained attention, qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and leading Croatia to the final, where they lost to France. Since then, he has never missed a tournament.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo plays soccer for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr.
The 41-year-old has previously spent time at Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Portugal has never won a World Cup, with the team’s best finish being third place in 1966.
Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Portugal and is the only player in history to score in six World Cups.
Croatian national team midfielder Luka Modric is 40 years old and will celebrate his 41st birthday in September.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in the 2026 group stage, both in the win against Uzbekistan.
The 41-year-old has scored 10 World Cup goals going into the knockout stages.
Explore USA TODAY Sports’ latest brackets here.
