Ronaldo Reacts After Portugal Edge Past Ireland to Maintain Perfect World Cup Qualifying Run
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his delight after his side narrowly defeated the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Saturday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Lisbon.
The match saw Portugal continue their unbeaten run in Group F, thanks to a late strike from Ruben Neves, which sealed all three points for the Selecao.
Ronaldo, who was close to costing his team the win after missing a few key chances, was ultimately saved by Neves’ heroics in the closing minutes.
Following the hard-fought victory, the Al Nassr forward took to Instagram to celebrate Portugal’s continued dominance in the qualifiers, writing:
“Another step taken! Let’s go!”
With the win, Portugal have maintained their 100 per cent record and remain firm favourites to qualify for next year’s World Cup. They now shift focus to their next fixture against Hungary on Tuesday, where Ronaldo and his teammates will look to extend their winning streak.
💭 Opinion: Ronaldo’s Passion Still Burns Bright — Even When the Goals Don’t Come
At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to show that leadership goes beyond scoring goals. His performance against Ireland wasn’t flawless — he missed chances that could have sealed the game earlier — but his energy, determination, and will to win remain as fierce as ever.
What makes Ronaldo remarkable isn’t just his record-breaking goals; it’s his mentality. Even when he’s not the hero on the scoresheet, he still drives his team forward, setting the tone for younger players like João Félix and Rafael Leão.
This Portugal team might no longer depend entirely on Ronaldo, but his influence is still the heartbeat of their campaign. His post — “Another step taken!” — isn’t just about progress in qualifiers. It’s a statement from a man who refuses to slow down, reminding the world that even in his twilight years, he’s still leading the charge.
If this is Ronaldo’s final World Cup run, he’s making sure it ends on his terms — one determined step at a time. ⚽🇵🇹🔥
