Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 to reach a last-16 meeting with Spain, then turned the moment into a public tribute to Diogo Jota. Cristiano Ronaldo wore a special shirt bearing Jota’s number 21, and the squad gathered around it after the final whistle.
The gesture came on the first anniversary of the crash in Spain that killed Jota and his brother Andre Silva on 3 July 2025. Jota, then a Liverpool player, had recently married Rute Cardoso and was travelling back toward club duties when the accident occurred, according to the source report.
Jota’s memory has been visible throughout Portugal’s World Cup campaign. His image has appeared on stadium screens during the anthem, players have worn commemorative wristbands, and manager Roberto Martinez has framed him as an honorary presence within the group.
For Portugal, the tribute adds emotional weight to a campaign that has not always been fluent on the pitch. The win over Croatia keeps their tournament alive, while the squad continues to carry the memory of a team-mate who scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for his country.
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