Deep into stoppage time in Toronto, Josko Gvardiol thought he had rescued a draw for Croatia against Portugal, only for a VAR review to rule his goal out – confirming a dramatic 2-1 victory that sent Portugal into the last 16 and left Luka Modric's international career likely over. The win, sealed by goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos, set up an Iberian derby against Spain in the knockout phase.
Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the seeded European teams. The tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, features an expanded 48-team format, with 16 group winners and runners-up advancing to a round of 32. Portugal topped their group before facing Croatia, a side that had progressed as runners-up. The match was tightly contested: Ronaldo opened the scoring with his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout stage, before Ramos added a second. Croatia pulled one back and thought they had equalised through Gvardiol, only for VAR to rule it out.
“Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 at the 2026 World Cup to set up a last-16 clash with Spain, as Ronaldo's future remains uncertain.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, has been the talisman of Portuguese football for over two decades. His sister, Katie Aveiro, ignited speculation before the game by suggesting it could be his final international appearance, telling broadcaster SportTV: "I believe this is their farewell." But Ronaldo himself played down the talk, saying after the match: "It is not important now. I will have time to talk about that after winning or losing the tournament; I will talk to my family and then I will make the most appropriate decision." He added that he no longer makes decisions "in the heat of the moment." The match also saw the likely end of Luka Modric's international career; Ronaldo paid tribute to his former Real Madrid teammate, calling him "a legend in the world of football."
For UK readers, the story is especially resonant. Ronaldo is a former Manchester United star, and many British fans followed his career in the Premier League. Portugal also features several players familiar to UK audiences, such as Diogo Jota (Liverpool) and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City). The upcoming clash with Spain – a fixture packed with history – will draw huge viewing figures across Britain, as will the broader narrative of whether this is the final chapter of one of football's greatest international careers.
Q: Is Cristiano Ronaldo retiring after the World Cup? Ronaldo has not confirmed retirement. His sister suggested it might be his last tournament, but Ronaldo himself said he will decide after the World Cup, discussing it with his family. He is 41 and has been a Portugal international since 2003.
Q: Who did Portugal beat to reach the last 16? Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the round of 32. Goals came from Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos. Croatia's goal was scored by an unnamed player, and a late equaliser by Josko Gvardiol was ruled out by VAR.
Q: Who will Portugal play in the last 16? Portugal will face Spain in the last 16. The match is an Iberian derby, adding extra significance. Spain advanced from their group, and the game is scheduled after Portugal's victory over Croatia.
What happens next: Portugal face Spain in the last 16. If they win, they would progress to the quarter-finals. Ronaldo's future decision will likely come after Portugal's campaign ends, whether that is in the next round or later in the tournament. The match against Spain is expected to be tightly contested, with both teams possessing strong squads.