41-year-old Ronaldo scores equalizer as Portugal advances in World Cup

Veteran star Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, proved his enduring class by scoring a vital equalizer for Portugal in their 2026 World Cup knockout stage match against Croatia. The dramatic encounter saw Portugal ultimately triumph 2-1, securing their progression in the tournament.

Portugal found themselves trailing after Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Croatia in the second half. However, the Portuguese team rallied, and their persistence paid off when Ronaldo calmly converted a penalty kick in the 68th minute, leveling the score and reigniting his team's hopes. This goal marked a significant achievement for Ronaldo, as it was his first in a World Cup knockout stage match, adding another milestone to his illustrious career.

The momentum shifted decisively in stoppage time when Goncalo Ramos headed home the winning goal in the 94th minute, sealing a hard-fought victory for Portugal. The win sets up a challenging quarter-final clash against tournament favorites Spain.

Following the intense match, Ronaldo, ever the leader, showed his respect and camaraderie by embracing Luka Modric, Croatia's midfield maestro, who is likely playing in his final World Cup. Ronaldo also took time to honor his former teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a traffic accident last year. He was seen wearing Jota's jersey while acknowledging the fans, a poignant gesture that underscored the team's solidarity and remembrance.

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He took responsibility for the penalty kick and scored the goal.