Portugal beats Croatia 2-1, Ronaldo draws crowds in Toronto

Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match held in Toronto, securing a place in the last‑16. After the win, Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted at a downtown hotel, where thousands of fans gathered, with one resident describing the scene as “the most incredible moment I’ve ever experienced.”

The match also marked a likely farewell for Croatia’s Luka Modrić, who played his final World Cup before being embraced by Ronaldo on the field. Both players’ long‑standing rivalry and friendship were highlighted by the post‑match hug, symbolising the end of an era for the two former Real Madrid stars. Social media captured the fan frenzy, underscoring football’s growing cultural impact in Canada.