What to know
- Portugal advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating Croatia 2-1 in the Round of 32 at Toronto Stadium.
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored Portugal’s first goal.
- Portugal secured the win in stoppage time of the second half after a Croatia goal was ruled offside, sending Portugal fans into celebration.
- Fans celebrated the victory at Toronto Stadium and FIFA Fan Fest, with many praising Ronaldo and backing Portugal to go all the way.
The final whistle sparked an eruption of noise across Toronto Stadium. Portugal supporters hugged strangers, waved flags above their heads and chanted Cristiano Ronaldo’s name after their team battled past Croatia 2-1 on Thursday night to book a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
For many, it wasn’t just another win. It was the chance to watch one of soccer’s greatest players deliver on one of the biggest stages, and perhaps for the final time in Toronto.
The match held high stakes for players Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić.
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A tense night ends in celebration
For much of the evening, neither side could find a breakthrough.
Croatia struck first in the second half, putting Portugal under pressure before Cristiano Ronaldo answered with the equalizer, sending the stadium into a frenzy.
As the match headed into stoppage time of the second half, the tension only grew. Portugal made the breakthrough, but in the dying seconds of the game Croatia thought it had found the equalizer, but it was ruled offside after review – sealing Portugal’s place in the Round of 16.
@nowtoronto Ronaldo levels the field 1-1 against Croatia, FIFA Fan Fest attendees are celebrating🎉⚽️ #FIFAFanFest #PortugalVersusCroatia #Ronaldo ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
Ronaldo was substituted in the 80th minute when the score was tied 1-1.
Fans in Toronto wondered if that was the last time they would ever see Ronaldo play on Toronto soil?
‘Portugal all the way now’
The celebrations began immediately after the final whistle.
Supporters danced through the concourses, draped themselves in Portuguese flags and sang long after the players had left the pitch.
@nowtoronto Portugal wins 2-1 in Round of 32! Toronto goes crazy🎉 #Portugal #FIFAWorldCup #Roundof32 ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
“It’s great man. I’m all about Ronaldo, it’s great. Portugal won. Croatia was a good opponent, but still man, Portugal all the way now,” one Portugal fan told Now Toronto.
“Ronaldo’s the goat,” another fan said. “No one else is doing this at the age of 41.”
“So happy. A few more games ahead of us, hope we win the whole thing, but one game at a time,” another fan added.
Celebration spreads beyond the stadium
The atmosphere wasn’t confined to Toronto Stadium.
At the FIFA Fan Festival, supporters celebrated Portugal’s victory as Canadian singer Tyler Shaw took to the stage, helping keep the party going after the dramatic finish.
@nowtoronto #TylerShaw ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
Throughout the night, fans continued waving flags, singing and posing for photos as downtown Toronto remained awash in red and green.
Cristiano Ronaldo now moves on with Portugal to the Round of 16, where the team will continue its World Cup campaign in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.
For the thousands who packed Toronto Stadium, though, simply witnessing Ronaldo score in person was a moment they won’t soon forget.
