Portugal players honor late Diogo Jota after World Cup win over Croatia
Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal squad paid an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota after securing a dramatic victory over Croatia in the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal’s path through the 2026 FIFA World Cup reached a defining emotional milestone on Friday, 3 July 2026, as the national team secured a 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32 at BMO Field in Toronto. The win, which propelled Roberto Martínez’s squad into a highly anticipated Round of 16 clash against Spain, served as a poignant tribute to late forward Diogo Jota on the first anniversary of his death.
The match, characterized by late-game drama, was played under a somber shadow. Jota, a standout striker for Liverpool and the Portuguese national team, died in a car crash in Cernadilla, Spain, on 3 July 2025, alongside his brother, Andre Silva. The pair were traveling to Santander to board a ferry to the United Kingdom after medical advice discouraged the forward from flying following minor surgery. The fatal accident occurred when their vehicle suffered a tire blowout while passing another car, causing it to veer into the central reservation and catch fire.
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The tribute began before kick-off, as an image of Jota was projected on the stadium screens during the playing of the Portuguese national anthem. Supporters in Toronto responded with a loud cheer, while captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who had played alongside Jota on 32 occasions, was visibly emotional. Throughout the tournament, the Portugal squad has carried mementos to honor their fallen colleague, including specialized green and red wristbands provided by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, which feature the names of all current squad members alongside that of Jota.
Following the final whistle, the team’s commemoration became the central focus of the evening. Ronaldo donned Jota’s No. 21 national jersey and led the team in holding the shirt aloft in front of the fans. Reflecting on the significance of the date, Ronaldo told Fox Sports, Unbelievable. We knew it before the game. It was a so special moment. We speak today, our group, about that. The coincidence of life, it's unbelievable.
The emotional weight of the game was echoed by Martínez, who had previously named Jota as an honorary "plus one" member of the World Cup roster. Diogo’s dream is still with us and he sets the standards,
Martínez said, according to reporting from the BBC. I think the anniversary is just a moment that makes this game Diogo Jota's game. Diogo will always be with us.
A Lasting Legacy in the Squad
The memory of the 28-year-old forward remains a persistent presence within the team. Midfielder Rúben Neves, one of Jota's closest friends from their time together at Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, continues to wear the No. 21 jersey in honor of his teammate. Neves recently revealed that the squad maintains a persistent, active connection to his memory through a shared digital space, stating, Whenever something special happens, I have the conversations archived on my WhatsApp so I can continue to send him messages.
The significance of the 2026 campaign is further underscored by the fact that this tournament would have marked Jota's first World Cup appearance, after he was forced to miss the 2022 competition in Qatar due to a calf injury. His parents, Joaquim and Isabel, have been honored guests at the team's matches, including an opening game in Houston where their presence highlighted the lingering grief felt by the squad and the broader footballing community.
Match Context and What Comes Next
The victory itself was a hard-fought affair. Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perisic in the 53rd minute before Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot. The win was secured in the fourth minute of stoppage time by substitute Gonçalo Ramos. A late potential equalizer by Croatia was disallowed following a VAR review for offside, confirming Portugal’s advancement. The goal by Ronaldo, 41, made him the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match.
| Initiative | Details |
|---|---|
| Honorary Roster Spot | Named as a "plus one forever" by manager Roberto Martínez. |
| Commemorative Wristbands | Gifted by the Prime Minister; worn by all players during matches. |
| Jersey Tribute | Rúben Neves wears the No. 21; Ronaldo wore it post-match vs. Croatia. |
| Stadium Memorials | Image displayed on giant screens during anthems. |
Looking ahead, Portugal prepares for their next fixture against Spain in Dallas on Tuesday. As Ronaldo summarized in a post-match social media update: We won for ourselves, for Diogo, and for Portugal!!! LETS GOOOOO!!!!
