Toronto gets a lot of grief from the rest of Canada. The country's largest city is often jeered by other Canadians for the attention it gets from national media (especially when it comes to hockey).
On Thursday night, however, there was no denying: Toronto — and Canada — were the centre of the world.
The city's lone FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout match came sandwiched between a straightforward Spanish victory and a late-night Swiss win in Vancouver.
Portugal versus Croatia was, undoubtedly, the marquee fixture of the day, and perhaps of the whole round. Cristiano Ronaldo versus Luka Modrić, one last time.
Two titans of the last two decades, one of whom would surely play his final World Cup match in Toronto.
Ronaldo, still looking for his first World Cup knockout goal, desperate for the one trophy that has eluded him. Modrić, whose fame transcends football in Croatia, trying to conjure one last magic run at this tournament.
The whole world watched as two sides with exceptional pedigree at international tournaments went toe-to-toe.
On a stage fit for spectacle, Portugal and Croatia delivered one.
All 43,000 in Toronto Stadium and the millions watching on TV were treated to a remarkable evening of theatre. It had drama, controversy, history and quality as Portugal came from a goal down to score a 94th-minute winner and move to the round of 16.
When a teary-eyed Ronaldo circled the pitch postmatch, donning a number 21 shirt in honour of departed teammate Diogo Jota, legions of adoring fans serenaded the end of an absolute World Cup classic.
Naturally, the match produced ample topics for debate. Should Croatia's last-second equalizer have counted? Certainly, most neutrals would have enjoyed another half-hour plus penalties of this match.
What did a World Cup knockout-round goal from the penalty spot do for Ronaldo's legacy? And, was Portugal manager Roberto Martínez right to take Ronaldo out with 10 minutes left?
The brave decision did pay off when Gonçalo Ramos scored the winner from a position where Ronaldo might ordinarily be, but it was a gamble nonetheless.
Also, was this the last time Modrić will wear the Croatian jersey?
Not lost in all the conversation, however, was Toronto itself. The city, home to hundreds of thousands of people with Portuguese and Croatian heritage, provided a setting for some of this World Cup's most iconic scenes.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Delta hotel in downtown on Wednesday and Thursday night, trying to catch a glimpse of Ronaldo — and he obliged with a wave from the balcony, as if Bremner Blvd. was St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. Croatian fans carried a 100-metre-long flag down Lakeshore, thousands of them in full voice.
The mob of Portuguese fans that marched down Strachan Ave. was remarkable enough that Ronaldo himself shared it on his social media.
Inside the stadium, spontaneous chants broke out in the concourse two hours before kickoff. The energy — a blend of nerves, excitement, and national pride — out-paced that of any of Toronto's prior World Cup matches.
Toronto Stadium, the smallest venue at this World Cup, was a subject of criticism before the tournament. Earlier images of the temporary stands in the north and south drew some ire, often from Torontonians themselves.
But when it was full, the little stadium by Lake Ontario punched above its weight.
Commentators from international outlets like the BBC praised the tight, intimate atmosphere and sightlines. Portugal manager Roberto Martínez compared the stadium to old-fashioned Premier League grounds with four disconnected stands, and he lamented that this was Toronto's last World Cup game.
This was the only stadium at this World Cup outside of Mexico that was originally designed purely for soccer, and it showed.
There will be more iconic moments later in this tournament. The world is moving on from Toronto, and it will soon move on from Vancouver — although it could have its own magical send-off next week when Switzerland play Colombia or Ghana in the round of 16.
However, few who saw this World Cup — least of all Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić — will forget July 2 in Toronto.
All photos courtesy of OneSoccer
