Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
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TORONTO — Portugal fans erupted with joy in the stadium, on the streets and even in packed Little Portugal bakeries as their team beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto’s last – and most dramatic – World Cup match on a sweltering night.
Thousands of diehard fans with dreams of seeing soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo lead the team to the Round of 16 got their wish when he scored on a penalty kick in the second half to even the score at 1-1.
Goncalo Ramos scored another goal for Portugal four minutes into stoppage time, and a late Croatian goal that would have tied the match 2-2 was overturned amid boos from devastated Croatian fans.
“Oh, my God, I feel so relieved,” Portugal fan Marisa Cota said as the crowd around her on Dundas Street West celebrated. “The first part, we were feeling like, ‘Oh, what is this gonna end with? How is this gonna end?’ Well, the second part was really intense. A lot of intense moments.”
Vera Medeiros, who came with her family from London, Ont., to watch the game in Little Portugal, said she felt like she was having heart attacks during the game. But once it was over, there were “happy tears,” she said.
“It’s amazing, it feels amazing.”
The result keeps 41-year-old Ronaldo’s World Cup career alive and likely marks the end of Croatian star Luka Modric’s.
The two players were big draws for their teams’ fan bases in the Greater Toronto Area, which is home to vibrant and populous Portuguese and Croatian communities. Tens of thousands of fans also arrived from other parts of the province, country and the world.
Ronaldo in particular was a big attraction for soccer spectators since his team’s arrival in Toronto on Wednesday. Hundreds of fans crowded outside the team’s hotel and practice site, hoping to catch a glimpse of the global superstar.
Dante Doria travelled from London, Ont., to support Portugal, and with hopes that he and his friend could score last-minute tickets to the game.
“Growing up, Cristiano was my idol so watching him would be my dream come true,” he said outside the stadium before kickoff.
For Croatia fans, that idol is midfielder Modric, a celebrated World Cup veteran.
“He’s been there my whole life basically, so if this is his last game it’s going to be emotional,” Zoran Strbac said before the match.
One group of fans said they were relieved to finally be able to see Croatia play in Toronto, after they lost thousands of dollars in a ticket scam when they tried to attend the country’s previous match in the city against Panama.
Kara Ribaric, who came to Toronto two weeks ago from Croatia, and members of her family who live in Hamilton said they lost more than $13,000 in the scam. Thankfully, they got tickets for the Croatia-Portugal match “the right way,” said John Sulug from the same group.
The match outcome left Croatia supporters crestfallen, but one of them took it in stride.
“Today was not our day but we have to accept the reality,” said Maki Ararau, who travelled from Dubai to attend the match. “I wish (Portugal) very good luck.”
The match unfolded under a heat dome that has persisted in Toronto for days, with the humidity making it feel like 42 C at times.
The city cancelled match broadcasts at Nathan Phillips Square due to the extreme heat forecast and the amount of resources required to safely manage large crowds at all the FIFA events.
The FIFA Fan Festival was still open with heat relief measures including misting stations and drinking water trailers.
The humid conditions didn’t seem to bother fans in Little Portugal, where people spilled into the streets after the game referee blew the last whistle.
Earlier in the match, the owner of Amigos da Dundas sports bar said this World Cup has been good for business.
“This one is busier than the other World Cups before, because this is in Toronto,” Miguel da Silva said, adding that the city’s last match was “special.”
“Portugal, Croatia — two icons that (are) playing against each other…. So nothing better than that.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2026.
Maan Alhmidi and Monique Kasonga, The Canadian Press
