Ronaldo, Portugal now know their path in Round of 32 of this World Cup

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Colombia’s James Rodriguez shared a warm embrace before their World Cup match started Saturday, then the captains chatted again as their teams simultaneously headed back out to the field in the final moments of halftime.

It wasn’t a “friendly” — soccer’s term for a game that doesn’t really mean anything in terms of standings or a trophy — but it sure felt like one.

From here on out, that won’t be the case.

It’s win or go home — all business — now for Ronaldo, the 41-year-old who is in his sixth and presumably final World Cup. After Saturday’s 0-0 tie against Colombia, he now knows the path if he’s going to deliver soccer’s ultimate prize as his farewell: the knockout stage awaits, and for Portugal, it starts Thursday in Toronto against Croatia.

Colombia won the group and Portugal finished second.

Win the game against Croatia, and Spain likely awaits as Portugal’s next opponent in the Round of 16. Win that game, and Portugal would still be three more wins away from actually winning the tournament.

Ronaldo has two goals in this tournament, giving him 10 all-time and making him the only player to score in six different editions of the men’s World Cup.

Ronaldo and Portugal arrived for their final group stage match against Colombia knowing their spot in the round of 32 was secured. Ronaldo — in a light jacket, despite nearly 100-degree (38 Celsius) temperatures in Miami on Saturday afternoon, along with a T-shirt and pair of shorts — gave a thumbs-up to a few who lined the route between the team bus and the player’s entry point to the stadium.

His mood seemed light. Going forward, that’ll probably change. His World Cup hopes are really at stake now.

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here.