WATCH | Cristiano Ronaldo in Tears as he Pays Tribute to Diogo Jota After Portugal Edge Croatia in 2026 FIFA World Cup

2026 FIFA World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo made it a night to remember for Portugal and their fans in Canada. Portugal edged Croatia to make it to RO16. But it is what happened after the win that stole the limelight. Ronaldo wearing the number 21 shirt in reference to Diogo Jota, the Portuguese player who passed away exactly one year ago, and getting emotional along with the fans will be one of the most iconic images of this World Cup, no doubt. The clip of the moment has surfaced on social space and is going viral. 

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Ronaldo paid the tribute on the first anniversary of Jota's death. The star Liverpool striker and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025, just 11 days after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso.

Meanwhile, it was Goncalo Ramos, who headed in the stoppage-time winner as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a wild finish that also included a Croatian goal disallowed for offside just before the final whistle in a World Cup round of 32 match.

The game featured a matchup 40-somethings Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, in his sixth World Cup, and Croatia’s Luka Modrić, making his fifth bid for a tournament title.

Ronaldo initially tied things up in the 68th minute on a penalty kick and give the megastar his first knockout stage goal at the World Cup before being subbed out in the 81st minute. But, it was Ramos who gave Portugal the victory and a berth in the round of 16.

Portugal moves on to face Spain on Monday.