Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Croatia in a FIFA World Cup group stage match on July 3, 2026, at Toronto Stadium, but the result was overshadowed by an emotional tribute to late teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident on July 3, 2025, at the age of 28.
Emotional tribute after final whistle
As the match concluded, Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo immediately put on Jota's No. 21 Portugal jersey. He stood in the middle of the pitch, looked up, and pointed directly to the sky in honour of his late teammate. Ronaldo kept the jersey on as he walked the pitch, applauding Portugal supporters, embracing teammates, and eventually posing with the entire group of players, coaching staff, and training staff while holding up the red jersey.
Ronaldo, 41, was named man of the match and said: "It's a special day for what you all know, for the special Jota who's up there lighting our way. It's a special moment. We all felt his presence with us and today's victory would have been meaningless if it weren't for honouring him in the best way possible."
Jota's death and legacy
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died instantly when their Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout in the Zamora province of northwestern Spain, causing the vehicle to veer off the road, crash, and burst into flames. The match fell on the anniversary of his death, adding to the emotional weight for the Portugal team, who had named Jota as an honorary member of the squad ahead of the tournament.
Game-winning goal-scorer Goncalo Ramos said: "Every day it's special because we talk about him every day. He gives us strength and it's very special to win today, and to reach one of the most important phases of this competition."
Fan tributes and club honours
Prior to the match, Portuguese fans in Toronto paid tribute to Jota by displaying his jersey during a march towards the stadium. Throughout the season, fans of Jota's former club Liverpool have stood and applauded during the 20th minute of each home match. Several of his former Liverpool teammates have performed his signature celebration after scoring goals over the past year. The club also announced shortly after his death that Jota's No. 20 jersey would be retired to honour his contributions over five years at Liverpool.
Controversial VAR decision
The match itself was marked by a controversial VAR call that disallowed a potential game-tying goal for Croatia late in stoppage time, sparking chaos on the field and anger among Croatian fans. Portuguese fans celebrated their team's advancement to the Round of 16, while the players' tears were as much for Jota as for the victory.
