Read 3 minutesUpdated: 3 July 2026 07:41 AM IST
An emotional Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after wearing Diogo Jota’s number 21 jersey as a tribute to his former teammate, after a thrilling 2-1 win over Croatia to send Portugal into the round of 16 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 clash.
After playing a key role in Portugal’s second UEFA Nations League win and helping the team secure their place at the World Cup, Jota lost his life in a road accident in Spain last year at the age of 28.
Portugal lost to Croatia in Toronto on Friday, with both sides beating the odds. After trailing 1-0, goals from Ronaldo and Gonzalo Ramos sent the team through to the next round, where they would face off in another heavyweight clash.
An emotional Ronaldo, wearing Jota’s jersey, pointed to the sky after the final whistle as emotions ran high.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who played for Penafil in the Portuguese second division, are believed to have been driving a ferry from Spain to Britain when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames shortly after midnight. He was buried in his hometown of Gondomar in northern Portugal.
EMOCIONANTE
Cristiano Ronaldo com a camisa 21 em homenagem a Diogo Jota
Tomorrow will be exactly 1 ano que Jota morre
Cristiano Visualamente Ablado pic.twitter.com/G5TBYc7rLk
— ABSOLUTE CR7 (@AbsoluteGOATBR) 3 July 2026
In the match, the 2018 finalists took the lead through Ivan Perisic’s strike in the 52nd minute, Ronaldo finally broke his streak, scoring his first ever World Cup knockout goal To level the score. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez then made four changes, including midfield stars Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha.
As it happened: Portugal vs Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Highlights
Ronaldo was substituted in the 81st minute and the game was still at a standstill. Charged with securing the breakthrough, super-sub Ramos delivered again in stoppage time, propelling Portugal in with a header from Rafael Leo’s cross.
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Ronaldo’s third goal of the tournament was a brace against Uzbekistan in the group stage. It was the first time the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was replaced in the competition.
It is the first time since 1966 that Portugal have gone 1-0 down in the knockout stages of a World Cup.