Portugal FIFA World Cup The campaign enters its knockout stage with emotions running high as Roberto Martinez’s side prepare to face Croatia in the Round of 32 on Thursday in Toronto.Beyond the pursuit of a place in the last 16, Portugal will bring an added sense of purpose. By the time the kick-off arrives in Canada, it will already be July 3rd in Portugal, marking one year since Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva tragically lost his life in a car accident in western Spain.The anniversary brought back memories of a loss that stunned the football world. Jota was 28 when he died, while Silva was 25. Although he was recognized for his football career, those closest to them often talked about the impact they made outside the game.Silva played as an attacking midfielder for Portuguese second division club Penafiel and had graduated with a degree in business management in 2025. Jota, meanwhile, had established himself as one of Portugal’s main strikers and had celebrated winning the Premier League with Liverpool. Only 11 days before the accident, he had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso. He also left behind three children.Jota was part of the Portugal team that lifted the UEFA Nations League title in June 2025, and his next ambition was to help the national team challenge for the World Cup. Although he never got the chance to realize that dream, Martinez says his memory continues to inspire the entire team.“I think we need to honor Diogo Jota,” Martinez said after Portugal’s goalless draw against Colombia on Saturday.“I think it’s a moment to look at that everything we started in this team started with him. We won the League of Nations with him. It’s probably the sign and the light of the greatest stimulation we have. We want to win the World Cup for him.”Portugal’s road to the knockout phase has not been simple. After opening their campaign with a win over Uzbekistan, Roberto Martinez’s side were held to a goalless draw by DR Congo before another 0-0 draw against Colombia. Those results were enough to see Cristiano RonaldoThe scratch team in the Round of 32, where they face now Luka ModricCroatia at Toronto Stadium.The win kept Portugal’s World Cup hopes alive, but it would also have a deeper meaning. On the first anniversary of Jota’s death, progressing into the tournament represents another step towards realizing the dream the former Liverpool striker never had the chance to achieve, with the team determined to honor his memory on football’s biggest stage.