Portugal’s dramatic FIFA World Cup Round of 32 victory over Croatia sparked jubilant scenes in Toronto on Thursday night, with hundreds of supporters gathering outside the team’s hotel to celebrate alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and the players.
Videos that have gone viral on social media showed Portugal fans filling the streets outside the team hotel, chanting, waving flags and singing late into the night after Roberto Martinez’s side secured a place in the Round of 16.
The celebrations prompted the Portugal players to come out of their hotel rooms and celebrate with the fans from their balconies.
Ronaldo, joined by his Portugal teammates, stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the crowd and began leading the chants as supporters below responded in unison. The players applauded the fans, waved Portugal flags and soaked in the atmosphere, turning the area outside the hotel into a sea of red and green.
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The celebrations came just hours after Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in one of the most dramatic matches of the Round of 32.
Ronaldo, 41, scored the first World Cup knockout-stage goal of his career from the penalty spot in the 68th minute after Ivan Perisic had given Croatia the lead. Goncalo Ramos then headed home the winner deep into stoppage time before Croatia thought they had forced extra time through Josko Gvardiol, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
The victory kept alive Ronaldo’s pursuit of the one major trophy missing from his glittering career and set up a blockbuster Round of 16 clash against Spain.
It was also an emotional evening for Portugal, who were playing a day before the first anniversary of the death of forward Diogo Jota in a car accident. Ronaldo paid tribute after the match by wearing Jota’s No. 21 shirt and later posted on Instagram: “We won for us, Diogo and Portugal. Let’s Go.”
Toronto, home to one of the largest Portuguese communities outside Portugal, turned into a carnival after the final whistle, with supporters celebrating well into the night.
Judging by the scenes outside the team hotel, the Portugal players were more than happy to join them.
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