Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo revels in Portugal’s World Cup win as fans celebrate

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates (Screengrabs) Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated with Portugal fans outside the team hotel after helping his side secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32.Portugal booked their place in the round of 16 after Goncalo Ramos scored the winner with a stoppage-time winner in a thrilling match that also featured a controversial VAR decision that denied Croatia a last-gasp equaliser.The match was billed as a showdown between two football legends in the twilight of their careers, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and 40-year-old Luka Modric. The former Real Madrid team-mates embraced warmly before kick-off and again after the final whistle.After the result, Portuguese fans outside the team hotel got a glimpse of Ronaldo, who came out to celebrate the victory over the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalists.Watch:Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic but Ronaldo responded with a penalty in the 68th minute to score his first ever goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup before being substituted in the 81st minute.“We dominated the game in the first half. In the second half we panic a bit after scoring a goal, but that’s football,” Ronaldo said. “After the penalty I think it was a bit better for us. We created a few chances and I think at the end of the day we deserved to win the game.”Portugal looked destined for extra time before Goncalo Ramos headed home the winner in stoppage time. However, the drama did not end there.Croatia believed they had equalized when Josko Gvardiol found the net, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside after a lengthy review. The decision sparked anger among Croatia supporters, with some throwing bottles onto the pitch in protest.Ronaldo and Modric share an emotional momentThe competition also carried emotional significance with both Ronaldo and Modric potentially playing in their final World Cups. The pair, who enjoyed great success together at Real Madrid, hugged each other after the match.“I played with Luca for so many years,” Ronaldo said. “We’re almost the same age. I think he’s a football legend. He’s still a football legend.”