Portugal predicted lineup, World Cup 2026: Will Ronaldo be benched against Uzbekistan today?
In his most euphoric moment, Cristiano Ronaldo did not forget his two old friends, Luka Modric and Diogo Jota. Ater the 20 minutes of a stoppage time, filled with nerve-shredding drama, every possible shade of emotion exhausted, with Portugal beating Croatia 2-1 to the round of 16, Ronaldo wrapped Modric in a deep embrace. He whispered something in his ears, he held his face like a brother would and wiped a drop of tear off Modric. In that poignant moment of brotherhood, the relevance of the result blurred.Had the whims of destiny differed the scenes would have been different too. Ronaldo could have left the stage with his dream unfulfilled; it was the turn of his former Real Madrid companion to bow away, his wish unrequited. Modric would be remembered as one of the greatest and toughest that has played the game; yet his last game ended in a heartbreak in the most heartbreaking way. AS IT HAPPENED: Portugal vs Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Highlights In the 13th minute of an unusually long stoppage time, Modric thought his team had found the equaliser, that he would live a little longer in the tournament. Josko Gvardiol seemed to have directed the ball into the goal (or did the final touch come from Ruben Dias?) But in the build-up to the goal, Igor Matanovic, the VAR adjudged, has feathered the ball according to football’s version of a snicko. At that precise moment, Mario Pasalic, whose miscued shot Gvardiol slid in, was off-side. Numerous replays were played, managers and support staff were frantically running pacing down the touchline; players and substitutes were predicting and debating the outcome. Escalating the suspense, the PA system in the stadium failed. The referee had to wait a few more minutes to announce the decision. And when it came, one side burst in limitless joy, and the other stumbled, the dream shattered.
Portugal team with Diogo Jota’s jersey as a tribute after win vs Croatia. (AP)The end of the game was always going to be cruel. Curtains shall fall on one of the two great careers. For so long it seemed like the dream was over Ronaldo. After a first half that buzzed with a scrappy energy, fast transitions, speedy counterattacks, manic defending, bone-crushing lungs and horrendous finishing, Ivan Persic, 37 years old and a Croatian legend himself, seized the lead for his side. Ronaldo wore the face of a man that knew there would be no tomorrow. For Portugal and Ronaldo, the recovery was not instant, even though they resisted a second goal. Then in a split second of pure instinct and the shine that refuses to leave its master, Ronaldo warped time and travelled back a decade to score the equaliser. Or what it then seemed to be, before VAR intervened and spotted that Ronaldo was marginally off-side. The first touch with the outside of the ball to control the cross and the flick of the ankle to ferry the ball goal-wards was peak Ronaldo-esque. He bounced to the touchline and struck a restrained version of SIU. But he turned around and saw no one. He gazed at the referee, and he knew his fate. It perhaps was not his day. It never would be.Story continues below this ad
Former Real Madrid teammates Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo. (AP)Yet, it was. The clock struck 67 minutes and the wheels of destiny smiled on him. Portugal were awarded a penalty. Ronaldo instinctively placed the ball on the spot. There was no question who would take it. What followed was heightened theatre. The moment froze to the ball and the man. The round ball at the dead centre of the box, a static sphere of rubber. The man stood still, legs wide, eyes fixed on the ball’s perimeter, the mind processing the ball’s destination, and his own destiny. Beads of sweat trickled down his temple. He took a deep, long, breath. Again. Then again. Cristiano Ronaldo has taken 211 penalties; he has converted 178. Yet, he was nervous. Frighteningly nervous. But this one was different. This one could be his last; his dream and nightmare, his obituary and
Verified Key Takeaways
- In his most euphoric moment, Cristiano Ronaldo did not forget his two old friends, Luka Modric and Diogo Jota. Ater the 20 minutes of a stoppage time,...
- Portugal team with Diogo Jota’s jersey as a tribute after win vs Croatia. (AP)The end of the game was always going to be cruel. Curtains shall fall on...
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