Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated with Portuguese fans outside the team’s hotel after helping his team beat Croatia 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.Portugal booked their place in the last 16 after Goncalo Ramos scored the winner in a thrilling contest that also featured a controversial VAR decision, which denied Croatia a draw in the final.The match was billed as a match between two soccer legends at the end of their careers, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and 40-year-old. Luka Modric. The former Real Madrid teammates shared a warm hug before kick-off and the final whistle.Following this, Portuguese fans outside the team’s hotel saw Ronaldo, who went outside to celebrate the 2018 FIFA World Cup final victory.Watch:Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic, but Ronaldo responded with a penalty in the 68th minute, scoring his first World Cup goal before being substituted in the 81st minute.“In the first half we dominated the game. In the second half after the goal we were a little scared, but this is football,” said Ronaldo. “After the penalty, I think it was a little better for us. We created a few chances and I think at the end of the day we should have won the game.”Portugal looked set for extra time before Goncalo Ramos scored the winner in stoppage time. However, the drama did not end there.Croatia believed they had equalized in stoppage time when Josko Gvardiol found the net, but VAR ruled the goal offside after a lengthy review. The decision sparked anger among Croatian fans, with some throwing bottles onto the pitch in protest.Ronaldo and Modric share a fun momentThe tournament also had interest, with Ronaldo and Modric likely to play in their final World Cups. The pair, who enjoyed great success together at Real Madrid, embraced after the game.“I played with Luca for many years,” Ronaldo said. “We’re almost the same age. I think he’s a football legend. He’s still a football legend.”
