Ronaldo's World Cup Moment
Ronaldo's Alleged 'Bismillah' Before Penalty Sparks Debate Amidst Portugal's Croatia Victory
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Key Points
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Ronaldo is described in Article 1 as being in his last FIFA World Cup, underscoring the finality and historical framing of his appearance at this tournament.
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The Round of 32 match against Croatia took place at Toronto’s BMO Field, with Ronaldo’s penalty awarded after a decision reviewed by the referee via a pitch-side monitor (Espen Eskas) demonstrating the use of video/monitor review in real time.
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Goncalo Ramos revealed that Ronaldo told him at halftime the team needed his help and, telling Ramos not to worry because he would score if he came on, which preceded Ramos’ late winner.
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Ronaldo’s post-match social media message celebrated the win for Diogo Jota and Portugal, highlighting unity and determination, and quickly generated massive engagement online (nearly 700,000 interactions within an hour).
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A wave of lip-reading speculation persisted, with some fans insisting Ronaldo mouthed Bismillah while others argued the clip could reflect other phrases (e.g., Vais Marcar), illustrating how interpretation of on-field moments remains uncertain without official confirmation.
A viral clip from Portugal's 2-1 comeback win over Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has ignited debate online. In the video, Cristiano Ronaldo appears to mouth the Islamic phrase 'Bismillah' — meaning 'in the name of God' — before stepping up to score a crucial penalty, according to Al Jazeera. No official confirmation has come from Ronaldo or Portugal's football federation.
The match took place at BMO Field in Toronto. Croatia led 1-0 before Ronaldo converted from the spot to level things. Goncalo Ramos then scored a late winner to send Portugal through to the Round of 16, according to St. Albert Gazette.
Referee Review Leads to Ronaldo's Game-Changing Penalty
Croatia took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute, putting Portugal on the back foot. The match shifted when referee Espen Eskas reviewed a foul decision using a pitch-side monitor. After watching the replay, he awarded Portugal a penalty, according to Richmond News.
Ronaldo stepped up and converted. It was a defining moment in what many are calling his final FIFA World Cup, at 41 years old. The goal levelled the score and kept Portugal's hopes alive.
Ramos Reveals Ronaldo's Halftime Prediction Came True
Before Ramos even touched the pitch, Ronaldo had told him he would be the difference. According to The Sun, Ramos revealed after the match that Ronaldo pulled him aside at halftime and said the team needed him — and told him not to worry because he would score if he came on.
That prediction proved correct. Ramos came off the bench and scored the late winner to seal a 2-1 result for Portugal. The moment highlighted Ronaldo's role as more than just a goal-scorer — he is shaping up as the team's key motivator during the tournament.
Bismillah Clip Sparks Fierce Online Debate
The lip-reading debate exploded on social media almost immediately after the match. Some fans insisted Ronaldo clearly mouthed 'Bismillah.' Others argued the clip shows him saying something else entirely — including the Portuguese phrase 'Vais Marcar,' which means 'you will score,' according to Newsy Today.
This is not the first time Ronaldo's pre-kick rituals have drawn speculation. No statement has been made by Ronaldo, his representatives, or Portugal's football federation to clarify what was said. The debate remains unresolved, fueled entirely by fan interpretation of a short video clip.
Ronaldo's Post-Match Message Generates Massive Engagement
After the final whistle, Ronaldo took to social media to celebrate the victory. His post emphasized unity and determination for Portugal, and gave a shoutout to teammate Diogo Jota. Within just one hour, the post had gathered nearly 700,000 interactions, according to Al Jazeera.
The online response underlined how closely the world is watching Ronaldo's every move at what could be his final World Cup. Whether his pre-penalty words were religious or tactical, the result is undeniable — Portugal are through, and Ronaldo remains at the center of the story.
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