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Portugal and Croatia played one of the best games of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, battling like prizefighters atop the BMO Field pitch in the Round of 32. Roberto Martinez's side won out in the end, with substitute Goncalo Ramos bursting the net with a deft header in the game's dying moments.
The game wasn't without its controversy: the Croatians had their apparent equalizer chalked off due to a contentious — but correct — offside decision. Ultimately, though, Portugal trotted onward, setting up a date with Iberian rival Spain in the Round of 16.
The match also proved deeply sentimental for other reasons for the Portuguese squad. July 3 is the one-year anniversary of former Portugal player Diogo Jota's death. The players made sure to honor their fallen teammate upon the game's conclusion.
Here's what you need to know.
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Portugal Diogo Jota tribute
Portugal paid tribute to Jota following its dramatic win over Croatia, posing with his jersey unfurling his No. 21 Portugal jersey and posing with it after the final whistle blew.
Portugal honors the late Diogo Jota after their win 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/PdbFcVQLf7
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 3, 2026Jota, a former Portuguese international who starred for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, died in a car crash on July 3, 2025. He was 28 years old.
Jota figured to be in contention for selection to Roberto Martinez's side prior to his untimely passing. He tallied nine goals in 37 games for Liverpool in 2024-25 and scored 14 goals in 49 caps for Portugal's national team.
Ronaldo sported Jota's beloved No. 21 jersey after action concluded at BMO Field. He was joined in the tribute by Ruben Neves, who played with Jota at Porto and Wolves. Neves switched his jersey number to No. 21 in honor of Jota, one of his closest footballing friends.
MORE: History of the the Spain vs. Portugal rivalry
What did Ronaldo says about Diogo Jota after win over Croatia?
Speaking with Fox Sports' Katie Shanahan after the game, Ronaldo praised his former teammate, saying that Jota's memory was on his and his teammates' minds when they took to the field.
"Unbelievable. We knew it before the game. It was a so special moment," Ronaldo said. "We speak today, our group, about that. The coincidence of life, it's unbelievable. I was amazed because the situations of today, it means a lot to us. Not only because we won the game, but also the way."
The aging striker claimed Man of the Match honors after the game, scoring a goal and helping lead Portugal's comeback efforts. He saluted Jota's memory in an Instagram post uploaded shortly after the game went final.
MORE: Is Cristiano Ronaldo retiring?
What happened to Diogo Jota?
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were the victims in a fatal one-car crash that took place on July 3, 2025 in Cernadilla, Spain. Attempting to catch a ferry in Santander, Jota's Lamborghini Huracan suffered tire blowout while he attempted to pass another vehicle. His car veered off the road, colliding with the central reservation and bursting into flames. Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, died at the scene.
Did Diogo Jota ever play in a World Cup?
Jota never got the chance to sport his colors on the world's stage. He suffered a calf injury that prevented him from taking part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He did participate in the 2020 and 2024 European Championships, however.
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