Cristiano Ronaldo embraced and consoled Luka Modric after Portugal’s agonising 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto, a result that likely ended the 40-year-old Modric’s World Cup career. The two former Real Madrid teammates, aged 41 and 40, faced off in a chaotic last-32 thriller that saw Ronaldo finally break his World Cup knockout goal drought from the penalty spot before being substituted, only for his replacement Goncalo Ramos to snatch a 94th-minute winner.
Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perisic, but Ronaldo levelled after the hour mark – his goal initially ruled out for offside before VAR overturned the decision earlier. Portugal manager Roberto Martinez boldly withdrew Ronaldo late on, a move that proved decisive as Ramos struck in stoppage time. There was more drama in the 103rd minute when Josko Gvardiol netted what looked to be an equaliser, only for VAR to controversially chalk it off – reportedly using cricket-style ‘Snicko’ technology – leaving Croatia’s players in tears at the final whistle.
“Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 with a late Ramos winner after VAR denied Gvardiol an equaliser; Ronaldo consoled Modric post-match.”
Modric, capped 202 times and appearing in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup, cut a devastated figure. But Ronaldo stepped forward, hugging him several times and offering warm words. “I played with Luka so many matches and we are nearly the same age. He is a legend of football,” Ronaldo said afterwards. “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.”
The victory sets up an Iberian derby against reigning European champions Spain on Monday in Dallas, Texas, for a place in the quarter-finals. Ronaldo, who won four Champions League titles alongside Modric at Real Madrid, is chasing the one trophy missing from his glittering collection: the World Cup.