Cristiano Ronaldo says any choice about Portugal retirement will wait until the World Cup ends, after a dramatic 2-1 last-32 victory over Croatia in Toronto
kept hopes alive and set up a clash with Spain in Dallas, as the 41-year-old finally scored a first knockout-stage goal at his sixth tournament appearance.
Reports before the Croatia match suggested Ronaldo had already chosen to finish an international career full of major honours when Portugal exit, yet Ronaldo stressed that no such decision is made and that the focus stays on the current campaign while Roberto Martinez prepares for a high-pressure meeting with European rivals Spain.
The future isn't important right now, Ronaldo told Sport TV. I'll talk about it, I'll have timeafter we win or loseto talk to my family and then make decisions the way I do. I don't make decisions on the spur of the moment any more. Now, I take everything calmly. For now, it's about enjoying today.
Attention now turns to Spain, with Opta figures rating La Roja as favourites for the round-of-16 tie, scheduled for Tuesday yet also described as taking place on Monday in Dallas, and Ronaldo acknowledged that Roberto Martinez and the squad are braced for a major test against opponents chasing another global title.
Croatia had dominated early stages in Toronto and went ahead through Ivan Perisic, before Portugal gained control again when Ronaldo converted a penalty that finally ended a long fruitless run for goals in World Cup knockout matches, and the game then swung back and forth in a chaotic final half-hour.
Martinez replaced Ronaldo in the 81st minute with Ruben Neves to reinforce midfield, after Croatia had begun to dictate tempo once more, but Portugal still found a late winner when fellow substitute Goncalo Ramos rose highest in the 94th minute to steer in a decisive header and spark wild celebrations among Portugal supporters.
Croatia thought an equaliser had arrived deep into stoppage time, when Josko Gvardiol turned the ball in during the 15th added minute, yet officials ruled the effort out for offside because Igor Matanovic was judged to have brushed a cross before Mario Pasalic finished from an advanced position.
There was further review over a deflection off Renato Veiga's back, which might have restarted the phase and allowed the goal, but the touch was considered accidental, so the original decision stood and Portugal progressed, ensuring Ronaldo will appear again on the World Cup stage against Spain in Texas.
4 - Including shoot-outs, Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored penalties at major tournaments for Portugal as a teenager (1), in his 20s (2), in his 30s (8) and in his 40s (1). Perennial. pic.twitter.com/LqsjR1bORZOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 3, 2026
Ronaldo's successful spot-kick against Croatia came from the 31st attempt in World Cup knockout games, underlining how long the wait had lasted, and that strike was also notable because it represented the only one of Ronaldo's 25 touches during the match that occurred inside the penalty area.
The Opta supercomputer currently gives Portugal a 5.13% chance of lifting a first World Cup, compared with Spain's 13.17% probability of claiming a second trophy, while Spain are rated 59.8% favourites to reach the quarter-finals, and Ronaldo accepts that Portugal must raise levels again against familiar opponents under tournament pressure.
We know Spain have the quality to win the World Cup, the former Real Madrid icon said. It's going to be a difficult game like all of them from now on. We know them well. We are going to be ready.
