Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated with Portugal fans outside the team hotel after helping his team to a dramatic 2-1 win 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, denying Croatia a last-gasp equaliser.The game is considered a showdown between two football legends in the twilight of their careers, the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and the 40-year-old. Luka Modric. The former Real Madrid teammates shared a warm embrace before kick-off and again after the final whistle.After the result, Portugal fans outside the team hotel saw Ronaldo, who came out to celebrate the victory against the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist.See:Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic, but Ronaldo responded with a penalty in the 68th minute, scoring his first World Cup knockout-stage goal before being substituted in the 81st minute.“First half we dominated the game. In the second half after the goal we had a little panic, but this is football,” said Ronaldo. “After the penalty, I think it was a little bit better for us. We created some chances and I think at the end of the day we deserved to win the game.”Portugal appeared destined for extra time before Goncalo Ramos headed home the winner in stoppage time. However, the drama did not end there.Croatia thought they had equalized in the dying moments when Josko Gvardiol found the net, but VAR ruled the goal offside after a lengthy review. The decision sparked outrage among Croatia supporters, with some throwing bottles onto the pitch in protest.Ronaldo and Modric share an emotional momentThe competition also carries emotional significance, with Ronaldo and Modric potentially playing in their final World Cups. The pair, who enjoyed great success together at Real Madrid, fell out after the match.“I played with Luca for many years,” Ronaldo said. “We’re almost the same age. I think he’s a football legend. He’s still a football legend.”