Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first World Cup knockout goal of his career and then dedicated Portugal's 2-1 win over Croatia to late teammate Diogo Jota.
Ronaldo put on Jota's No 21 Portugal jersey following the final whistle and, with tears in his eyes, pointed to the sky as he gathered with his teammates.
It is the first anniversary of Jota's death, who died in a car accident in western Spain along with his brother, Andre Silva.
"We knew it before the game, it was a special moment," Ronaldo told Fox. "We speak today, our group, about the coincidence of life, it's unbelievable."
"I was amazed because the situation of today it means a lot to us, not only because we won the game but also the way."
"We know he is present with us and it only made sense to win today to honour him in the best way." He added to Portugal's Sport TV.
At 41 and 147 days, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match.
The Portugal captain stepped up and calmly dispatched his 11th World Cup goal on 68 minutes to cancel out Ivan Perisic's early Croatia goal.
Earlier, the Al Nassr star was denied his 146th international goal by the offside flag.
Substitute Goncalo Ramos then netted in stoppage time, heading home a Rafael Leao cross, to send Portugal through to the last 16 and a showdown with Spain in Texas on Monday.
The game ended in controversy as Croatia thought they had scored a late equaliser to force the game into extra time.
However, after a VAR review, Josko Gvardiol's goal was controversially ruled out because Mario Pasalic was judged to be offside.
Angry Croatia fans threw bottles onto the pitch in protest.
Former Real Madrid teammates Ronaldo and Luka Modric embraced at the final whistle. Both are playing at their last World Cups. For Ronaldo, the journey continues. For Modric, his tournament is over.
Oyarzabal at the double for Spain
Mikel Oyarzabal took his tally of goals at the 2026 World Cup to four with a double in Spain's 3-0 win over Austria in California.
Defender Pedro Porro was also on the scoresheet, grabbing his first international goal with a header just after half-time.
Marc Cucurella assisted both of Oyarzabal's goals for La Roja, who set up a meeting with Ronaldo's Portugal next week for a place in the quarter-finals.
Spain have now outscored their opponents 8-0 at this World Cup, one of two teams yet to concede at the tournament along with co-hosts Mexico.
It was a fifth successive clean sheet for Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, who equalled the record for consecutive World Cup shutouts set by Italy's Walter Zenga at Italia '90.
Best photos of the 2026 World Cup - in pictures
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US President Donald Trump and Fifa president Gianni Infantino alongside the 2026 World Cup champions: Spain. Reuters -
Ferran Torres scores Spain's first goal past Argentina's Emiliano Martinez in the 106th minute of extra time at the World Cup final. Reuters -
Argentina's Lionel Messi after losing out to Spain in the final. Reuters -
England's players with their medals, after winning the third-place play-off against France in Miami. AFP -
French striker Kylian Mbappe challenges English defender Ezri Konsa at the Miami Stadium. AFP -
England forward Bukayo Saka, centre, celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal. AFP -
Enzo Fernandez of Argentina celebrates scoring the equaliser against England at Atlanta Stadium. AFP -
Anthony Gordon scores the opening goal for England against Argentina. EPA -
Spain's players celebrate after beating France to reach the World Cup final. Reuters -
Spanish forward Lamine Yamal, left, is challenged by French defender Theo Hernandez in Arlington. AFP -
France forward Kylian Mbappe shows his disappointment during the semi-final defeat to Spain. AFP -
Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Belgium in Inglewood. AFP -
Messi controls the ball against Switzerland's Granit Xhaka during the quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City. AFP -
Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the quarter-final match between Norway and England in Miami. AFP -
France talisman Kylian Mbappe was on target in his team's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. EPA -
Gessime Yassine looks dejected after the match as Morocco's World Cup comes to an end. Reuters -
Fans in Buenos Aires celebrate Argentina's victory against Egypt. Getty Images -
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Egypt in Atlanta. AFP -
Gregor Kobel of Switzerland saves Cucho Hernandez's penalty for Colombia in the shoot-out in Vancouver. AFP -
Portugal's Bernardo Silva is left in disbelief after a missed chance against Spain, in Arlington. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo is dejected after the match against Spain, as his Portugal team are eliminated from the World Cup. Reuters -
Belgium's Hans Vanaken scores their third goal past Matt Freese of the US, in Seattle. Reuters -
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere scores their first goal against the US. Reuters -
Australian referee Alireza Faghani shows a red card to England defender Jarell Quansah against Mexico. AFP -
Erling Haaland scores his and Norway's second goal against Brazil. AFP
Spain's 18-year-old star Lamine Yamal played 85 minutes in his longest outing since mid-April, following a hamstring tear that ended his club season at Barcelona.
And while he had some frustrating near-misses in attempting to add his second goal of the tournament, it ultimately didn't matter.
Oyarzabal broke the deadlock after 36 minutes when Cucurella supplied the low ball from the left and the Basque frontman steered a first-time shot into the corner for his third goal of these finals.
Porro headed in Alex Baena's cross on 66 minutes and Spain got a third goal to reflect their superiority as Oyarzabal slid in his second from another Cucurella cross.
It was Spain's first win in a World Cup knockout match in 16 years, when they went on to win the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
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