Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended on a sad note when they lost 1-0 to Spain in the Round of 16, resulting in Cristiano Ronaldogood work for the World Cup. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s dream of lifting football’s biggest trophy ended without a World Cup title. Following Portugal’s exit, Indian cricketer Mohammed Siraj, who is a huge admirer of Ronaldo, shared a message of thanks to his idol on Instagram.Ronaldo left the pitch after his final appearance at the World Cup with a made-up speech, briefly acknowledging Portugal’s supporters with a wave. Although visibly disappointed, the 41-year-old accepted the result with grace.“Now, it’s normal to be sent off like this,” Ronaldo said after the match.“I have given everything, I have given my best, and I leave with a clear conscience. This is football, this is the life of football. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.”When he came out, Siraj wrote a tribute to him,“No matter what happened today, you will always be my inspiration, Cristiano. One game cannot explain your greatness. Thank you for inspiring millions around the world,” Siraj wrote on his Instagram account.
Spain eliminated Portugal to reach the quarterfinals
Spain sealed their place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup with a stunning 1-0 victory over Portugal at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fiercely contested Iberian derby looked destined for extra time before Spain conceded in the first minute of stoppage time. Substitute Mikel Merino caught the Portuguese defense off guard with a quick tackle before racing into the penalty area to meet Ferran Torres’s rebound and calmly finish past the goalkeeper in the 91st minute.The win saw Spain progress to the last eight as they boosted their impressive defence, as they recorded a sixth successive clean sheet in the tournament. For Portugal, however, the defeat was the end of their World Cup journey and the final chapter of Cristiano Ronaldo’s brilliant career on football’s biggest stage.
