Cristiano Ronaldo believes Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia demonstrated one of the qualities every World Cup champion must possess: the ability to endure adversity.
The Portugal captain reflected on an emotionally charged Round of 32 encounter that saw Roberto Martínez’s side recover from a second-half deficit before Gonçalo Ramos struck a stoppage-time winner to book a blockbuster Round of 16 clash against Spain. Ronaldo also made history during the match by becoming the oldest player ever to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout fixture, converting a 68th-minute penalty at the age of 41 years and 147 days.
“It was a crazy match, but this is the World Cup,” Ronaldo said after the final whistle.
“As the team’s captain, I’ve been through moments like this before. I said that we had to know how to suffer. To win a tournament of this magnitude, you have to know how to suffer, and that was clear today.”
Portugal controlled much of the opening half but failed to capitalize on their dominance before Croatia stunned them early in the second period through Ivan Perišić, whose goal made him Croatia’s all-time leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup with seven goals. The setback briefly shifted momentum in Croatia’s favour before Portugal found a route back into the contest through Ronaldo’s penalty.
“I think it was a very entertaining match for the fans,” Ronaldo said. “We controlled the first half for the most part. The second half was a bit chaotic, but that’s football.”
“They scored, and we became a little nervous and anxious. But then came the emotional lift when we scored the penalty, and from that moment the game became easier.”
Although Portugal regained control after equalising, the contest remained tense until Ramos headed home Rafael Leão’s cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Croatia thought they had forced extra time moments later, only for VAR to disallow their late equaliser for offside following a lengthy review, preserving Portugal’s place in the last 16.
Ronaldo, who was substituted late in normal time by head coach Roberto Martínez, admitted Portugal still had to withstand significant pressure before sealing victory.
“After that, we had to suffer a little more, but that’s the nature of the tournament. We have to be ready and keep going.”
Martínez’s decision to withdraw his captain while the match was level initially surprised many observers, with Ronaldo visibly disappointed as he left the pitch. However, the coach’s tactical change proved decisive when substitute Ramos delivered the match-winning goal only minutes later. Martínez later defended the substitution as a decision made in the best interests of the team.
The victory carried additional emotional significance for Portugal, coming on the eve of the first anniversary of the death of international teammate Diogo Jota. After the match, Ronaldo paid tribute by wearing Jota’s No. 21 Portugal shirt during the team’s post-match commemorations, as players gathered to honour their former teammate.
Portugal now turn their attention to one of the marquee fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an all-Iberian showdown with unbeaten Spain in the Round of 16. The meeting will pit Ronaldo, football’s oldest active global superstar, against Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in a contest expected to headline the knockout stage.
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