Cristiano Ronaldo said Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia meant a lot, reflecting on a night in Toronto that saw his side come from behind before a stoppage time winner from Goncalo Ramos sent them into the round of 16.
“I was amazed because the situation of today, it means a lot to us. Not only because we won the game but the way. We knew it would be hard because Croatia is a fantastic team,” Ronaldo told FOX after the match.
Portugal fell behind to Ivan Perisic’s finish early in the second half before Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, converting his first ever World Cup knockout goal on his 31st shot across nine knockout stage appearances at the tournament. “After my goal, offside, people start to believe. Then it was a bit better for us, we created a few chances and at the end of the day we deserved to win the match,” he said.
The victory was laced with milestones for the 41 year old. His penalty was his third goal of this World Cup, making him only the second player in the competition’s history to score aged 40 or older, after Cameroon’s Roger Milla in 1994. Starting the match also made him the first player to feature in a World Cup knockout tie at 41 or above, while the game marked the first time in World Cup history that three players with more than 20 career appearances at the tournament shared the same pitch, Ronaldo on his 26th, Luka Modric on his 23rd and Perisic on his 21st. Ronaldo has now scored 25 goals across major international tournaments, five more than any other European player in history.
The result was also only the second time in 16 matches in which Portugal have trailed at a World Cup that they have gone on to win, the other coming against North Korea in 1966.
Beyond the numbers, Ronaldo reflected on facing Modric, likely for the final time on this stage, with the Croatian captain expected to retire from international football after the defeat. “I played with Luka so many matches and we are nearly the same age. He is a legend of football. I said to him, ‘Congratulations for everything. I would love to see you again and all the best for the next years of your career.’ It was nice to play him once again,” Ronaldo said.
The win also carried deep personal significance for Portugal beyond the football, arriving a day before the first anniversary of Diogo Jota’s death. Ronaldo led his teammates in a tribute after the final whistle, wearing Jota’s number 21 shirt as the squad applauded their supporters, a moment he later dedicated the victory to.
Portugal will face Spain in the round of 16 in Dallas on 6 July.
