Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated with Portugal fans outside the team hotel after helping his side secure a dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup 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 and 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo. Luka Modric. The former Real Madrid teammates shared a warm hug 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 over the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist.Take a look:Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic, but Ronaldo responded with a penalty in the 68th minute, scoring his first goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup before being substituted in the 81st minute.“In the first half we dominated the game. In the second half after the goal we panicked a bit, but that’s football,” said Ronaldo. “After the penalty, I think it was a little 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 equalized in the dying moments when Josko Gvardiol found the net, but VAR ruled the goal 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 an emotional momentThe contest also has emotional significance, with Ronaldo and Modric potentially playing in their World Cup finals. The pair, who enjoyed great success together at Real Madrid, embraced after the match.“I played with Luca for so many years,” Ronaldo said. “We’re almost the same age. I think he’s a football legend. He’s still a football legend.”