Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated with Portugal fans outside the team’s hotel after helping his side secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.Portugal booked their place in the last 16 after Goncalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner in a thrilling contest that also featured a controversial VAR decision, which 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 teammates shared a warm embrace before kick-off and again after the final whistle.Following the result, Portugal fans outside the team’s hotel got a glimpse of Ronaldo, who came outside to celebrate the win over the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist.Watch:Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic, but Ronaldo responded with a penalty in the 68th minute, scoring his first-ever World Cup knockout-stage goal before being substituted in the 81st minute.“First half we dominated the game. In second half after the goal we get a little bit panic, but this is football,” Ronaldo said. “After the penalty, I think it was a little bit better for us. We created a few chances and I think at the end of the day we deserved to win the match.”Portugal appeared 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 equalised in the dying moments when Josko Gvardiol found the net, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside after a lengthy review. The decision sparked anger among Croatian supporters, with some throwing bottles onto the pitch in protest.Ronaldo and Modric share emotional momentThe contest 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, embraced after the match.“I played with Luca so many years,” Ronaldo said. “We’re nearly the same age. I think he’s a legend of football. He’s still a legend of football.”