FIFA World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo ties game at 1-1 as Portugal takes on Croatia in Toronto

Toronto association football fans excited to observe portuguese republic and Ronaldo in the metropolis

Ronaldo is in Toronto for the FIFA World Cup. Here's what Portuguese fans are saying

Fact check: Fake photo of Cristiano Ronaldo in Toronto

What World Cup success means for Canadian soccer

Here's why hydration breaks are stirring up controversy at the FIFA World Cup

I’m sitting next to Shireen Ahmed, our soccer expert, who noted coolly after Croatia’s goal: "It’s not how much possession you have, it’s what you do with it."

Croatia’s proved they can pierce Portugal’s defence, but will they be able to find the back of the net again?

Three really great chances in the last few minutes suggest they just might be able to.

They just showed the Toronto superstar on the broadcast. Too bad he was checking his phone.

Kovačić has had some of Croatia's best opportunities today, and he just had two in very quick succession.

He struck the post on the first one, though Costa may have gotten a touch on it. Costa definitely saved the second try, though, tipping it over the bar. 

A minute later, Costa was called into action again with a close-range save on a wide shot. He's been much, much busier in this half!

Wow, this game has really come alive in the opening part of the second half. I need my own water break!

Lost in all of that chaos was a yellow card to Luka Modrić, a quadruple substitution by Portugal before the Ronaldo equalizer, and Croatia bringing on Mario Pašalić for Martin Baturina.

OK, the players are back on the pitch. We're locked in again!

Chants of "Portugal! Portugal! Portugal!" resonate as that play that led to the penalty was reviewed.

Then came a huge roar as the penalty was awarded.

Ronaldo to take.

Portugal’s fans on their feet.

Goal! 

Ronaldo converts the penalty to tie the game!

The penalty was called after VAR advised the referee to check a potential foul in the Croatian box.

Ronaldo gets the first World Cup knockout round goal in his illustrious career.

This game has opened up like crazy. 

Portugal came within inches of scoring. Back comes Croatia. 

The fans are at full blast now, with every play prompting a fresh wave of cheers or jeers.

Maybe if Ronaldo had styled his hair differently he would have stayed onside and that goal would have stood. That was so, so close.

Ronaldo got on the end of a forward pass and directed a shot past the goalkeeper, but the linesman called it back for offside.

The replays show it is very close, but VAR reaffirms the decision.

Replays show he was off by a shoulder. That's so close!

Croatia looks like it's broken through again, but the flag goes up after the goal to call it back for offside!

The Croatian fans have been brought to life by this passage of play. 

A couple of minutes later, Portugal strikes the woodwork with a long-range shot, before Costa is called into action with a big save.

The game has really opened up in the second half!

---

---