Ronaldo breaks his fast and Portugal becomes Croatia

Portugal needed resilience to survive Croatia, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory, fueled by Cristiano Ronaldo, who finally ended their World Cup knockout drought. The Portuguese team entered the field knowing that mistakes were not an option against a stubborn and organized opponent, and the answer came through a character reaction in the second half. Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Croatia, silencing the Portuguese fans and increasing the pressure on Fernando Santos' attack.

However, the momentum changed drastically when Ronaldo converted a penalty kick, scoring his first goal in the knockout stages of a World Cup after several failed attempts. The turnaround was consolidated by Goncalo Ramos, who found the back of the net to guarantee his place in the next phase and prove that the team has more weapons than just its star player. Gonçalo Ramos' performance was not just a statistical detail, but a tactical statement.

Fernando Santos signaled that Portugal is not hostage to a single man, even with the universe orbiting Ronaldo. The team's ability to absorb Perisic's initial blow and reorganize the midfield shows a tactical maturity that has been lacking in previous campaigns. The system worked as an escape valve for pressure, distributing offensive responsibility and preventing the Croatian tight marking from suffocating the number 7 for 90 minutes.

The scenario that is emerging now is one of high risk and even greater reward. Facing Spain in the quarterfinals puts two of the most technical teams in the tournament face to face, in a duel where control of ball possession will be decisive. The "Furia Roja" represents a monumental obstacle, known for its ability to dominate games and nullify opposing stars.

For Portugal, the victory over Croatia serves as the necessary antidote against fear; they proved that they can bleed, but also that they know how to heal the wound in time to win. The prize for this hard-fought victory is an Iberian classic against Spain. The stakes are very high as both nations fight for a place in the quarter-finals, promising another intense battle full of history.

The Portuguese team knows that the level of demand will rise, but the renewed confidence after turning around a complicated game could be the difference. Croatia, in turn, leaves the match with the bitter taste of a defeat that exposed defensive weaknesses. The Balkan team, traditionally solid in major tournaments, showed difficulties in containing the Portuguese offensive transition, especially after Ronaldo's goal.

Croatian pressure in the first half did not translate into goals, and the lack of a second impact striker weighed on the reaction. Coach Zlatko Dalić will have to rethink his approach to the next challenge, be it the fight for third place or preparation for the Qualifiers. On the Portuguese side, Bernardo Silva's performance was another high point.

The midfielder, often overshadowed by Ronaldo's shadow, had an active participation in the construction of plays and marking, demonstrating that the team has depth beyond its captain. The versatility of the Portuguese midfield, with names like Bruno Fernandes and João Félix, could be the key to unbalancing a clash against Spain, where possession of the ball will be a determining factor. The clash against Spain is not just a question of technique, but also of mentality.

The two teams carry the historical weight of a classic that has already defined editions of the Euro Cup and qualifiers. Portugal, with its victory over Croatia, showed that it can handle pressure, while Spain, even in a transition cycle, maintains the tradition of controlling football. The duel promises to be a test of physical and tactical resistance, where the slightest mistake can be fatal.

What was seen in Lusail was more than a victory: it was confirmation that Portugal has the potential to dream big. The ability to react to adversity and the tactical maturity displayed against Croatia are signs that the team is ready for the challenges to come. With Ronaldo on an inspired day and a squad that proved to be collective, the Portuguese reach the quarterfinals with renewed credibility and the certainty that, this time, they can go beyond what the world expects.

The prize for this hard-fought victory is an Iberian classic against Spain. The stakes are very high as both nations fight for a place in the quarter-finals, promising another intense battle full of history. The Portuguese team knows that the level of demand will rise, but the renewed confidence after turning around a complicated game could be the difference. Read at ESPN Brasil