At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo had a long time to wait to finally score in a World Cup knockout round. And it came at a time when his team needed it most.

Ronaldo’s converted penalty kick-started Portugal’s comeback, overcoming a goal deficit to advance to the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Croatia. But Portugal needed a controversial video decision at the death to secure the victory. More on that later.

Ronaldo and company will take on Spain, who won earlier Thursday 3-0 against Austria, in the Round of 16 on July 6.

The first half didn’t just leave both squads frustrated from not converting opportunities – it also left them drenched – from the severe heat as well as the humidity. It was 88 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff in Toronto, with 56% humidity, amid a heat wave sweeping across a wide swath of North America.

As both squads entered halftime without a goal, the chatter around the game up to that point was around Portugal’s missed chances, who outshot Croatia nine shots to three.

With the Toronto sun setting in the second half, it was the Vatreni who struck first as Ivan Perišić corralled a cross and struck it past Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa for the game’s first score.

The 37-year-old winger became Croatia’s top goal scorer in World Cup history with seven career tallies.

What came next was many more chances for both sides as the match opened up, including a second Croatian goal wiped away for offside, Portugal winger Rafa Leão’s laser hitting off the crossbar and Ronaldo’s potential equalizer also being ruled offside.

However, Portugal was handed its golden opportunity to equalize after a video assistant referee (VAR) review ruled that Renato Veiga was fouled by Croatian defender Marin Pongračić in the box. And it was none other than Ronaldo who stepped up to the spot to hammer home the penalty kick and delight the crowd on hand with his iconic “Siu” celebration.

Just over 10 minutes after netting his first career World Cup goal in the knockout rounds, the 41-year-old was subbed off in the 81st minute for Rúben Neves to a rousing ovation from the BMO Field crowd.

With 10 minutes added in stoppage time for either nation to find a go-ahead goal before two 15-minute extra periods, it was Portugal’s Gonçalo Ramos who found what ultimately turned out to be the match-winner.

The 25-year-old, newly announced AC Milan striker headed in a cross from just outside the box from Leão in the 94th minute.

Ramos was mobbed by his celebrating teammates in the corner of the field, but there were still six minutes to play before Portugal would secure its date with Spain in the Round of 16.

The Portuguese defense remained firm against Croatia’s attack, but the final whistle didn’t come at exactly the 10-minute mark in stoppage time, as Croatia thought it had netted a late-minute equalizer from defender Joško Gvardiol.

With a disappointed Ronaldo looking on and the Croatian players gleefully celebrating, the goal went to VAR check and was ruled offside.

After a few more minutes of play, the final whistle sounded and Portugal was able to breathe a sigh of relief as Ronaldo’s international career will now be extended at least one more match.

After the match, an emotional Ronaldo embraced former Real Madrid teammate and Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić and was seen wearing a jersey of his late teammate, Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash on July 3, 2025, almost exactly a year to the date.

Ronaldo and his teammates also posed for a photo with Jota’s No. 21 kit on the field.

Ronaldo called it a “special moment” to help his country advance to the next round on the anniversary of Jota’s death.

“We speak today, our group about that,” Ronaldo told the Fox broadcast while wearing Jota’s jersey. “The coincidence of life. It’s unbelievable. I was amazed because the situation of today. It means a lot to us.

“Not only because we won the game but also the way. So, it was a difficult game. We knew it. Croatia is a fantastic team.” (CNN Sports, 2026-07-03)