Cristiano Ronaldo has turned his focus towards Spain after Portugal’s dramatic World Cup win over Croatia, while keeping his own future firmly in the background.

Portugal are through after a tense 2-1 victory in Toronto, where Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot before Gonçalo Ramos struck the decisive goal in added time.

The result has set up a major Iberian clash against Spain, one of the tournament’s strongest-looking teams.

Ronaldo wary of Spain

According to A Bola, Ronaldo spoke in the mixed zone at Toronto Stadium after Portugal’s victory and made it clear that he expects a difficult match next.

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“Spain are candidates to win the World Cup. We will be prepared,” Ronaldo said.

It was a short message, but it carried the tone of a player who knows exactly what is waiting for Portugal.

Spain reached the next round with a convincing 3-0 win over Austria, while Portugal were forced to suffer until the final minutes against Croatia.

Future talk can wait

Ronaldo was also asked about his own future, a topic that has followed him throughout the tournament.

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According to A Bola, the Portugal captain refused to make the discussion about himself.

“Cristiano’s future is not important at this moment. I will speak, I will have time, after winning or losing, I will speak with my family and then I will make the decision in the best way,” Ronaldo told Sport TV.

“I no longer make decisions with a hot head, now everything is calm. Now it is about enjoying today.”

The answer left the door open, but it also made one thing clear: Ronaldo does not want his personal situation to overshadow Portugal’s World Cup campaign.

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Portugal had to suffer

The win over Croatia was far from comfortable.

Ivan Perišić gave Croatia the lead after the break, before Ronaldo equalised from the spot. Ramos then headed in the winner in added time, while Croatia also saw a late equaliser ruled out.

Ronaldo admitted afterwards that Portugal had been pushed hard.

“Today we had to know how to suffer. To win a competition of this magnitude, you have to know how to suffer,” he said.

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He added that Portugal controlled much of the first half, but that the second half became more chaotic after Croatia scored.

One more emotional night

Ronaldo also wore a Portugal shirt with Diogo Jota’s number 21 after the match, on the first anniversary of Jota’s death.

“It is a special day, for our Jota, who is up there lighting our way. We know he is present with us, and it only made sense to win today to honour him in the best way,” Ronaldo said.

He also confirmed that he had said goodbye to Luka Modrić after Croatia’s elimination.

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“Yes, I said goodbye. He remains a football legend, we are almost the same age. I have great respect for Modrić, for what he continues to do in football,” Ronaldo said.

For Portugal, the night brought victory, tribute and another huge test ahead.

For Ronaldo, it brought one more chance to chase the trophy that has defined so much of the final chapter of his international career.