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Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal survive late drama to defeat Croatia and will face Spain in the Round of 16
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 2, 2026
· 6 min read
By Kyle Feldscher, Jacob Lev, CNN
(CNN) — At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo had a long time to wait to finally score in a World Cup knockout round. And it came at a time when his team needed it most.
Ronaldo’s converted penalty kick-started Portugal’s comeback, overcoming a goal deficit to a...
Key takeaway It was 88 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff in Toronto, with 56% humidity, amid a heat wave sweeping across a wide swath of North America.
Why this matters in The El Paso
For El Paso soccer fans, Spain's dominant performance against Austria is a welcome sight, especially given the city's strong affinity for the sport. As the World Cup progresses, local bars and restaurants will likely be filled with fans cheering on their favorite teams, including Spain, which has a significant following in the El Paso area. The city's Hispanic heritage and cultural ties to Spain and other Latin American countries contribute to a passionate and knowledgeable fan base. With Spain moving on to the Round of 16, El Pasoans can expect to see more intense matchups and spirited viewing parties around the city, showcasing the community's love for the beautiful game. As the tournament advances, it will be interesting to see how local fans react to Spain's upcoming match against the winner of Portugal and Croatia, and whether the team can continue its winning streak.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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What is this story about? By Kyle Feldscher, Jacob Lev, CNN
(CNN) — At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo had a long time to wait to finally score in a World Cup knockout round. And it came at a time when his team needed it most.
Ronaldo’s converted penalty kick-started Portugal’s comeback, overcoming a goal deficit to a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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