Portugal's Group Stage Slip-Up Leads to Emotionally Charged Knockout Match: 'Every Day Is Difficult'

Portugal's next World Cup knockout stage match falls on the eve of the first anniversary of Diogo Jota's passing. Their surprising second-place finish in the group, behind Colombia, has set up a fixture that will undoubtedly carry extra emotional weight. The Liverpool forward and his brother tragically died in a car accident in Spain last year on July 3rd.

Manager Roberto Martínez's squad will face Croatia in Toronto on Thursday night (local time). "I believe we must honour Diogo Jota. Because everything we started with this team, started with him," Martínez stated after the 0-0 draw in their final group stage match against Colombia.

"We won the Nations League with him. And we want to win the World Cup for him," the Spanish coach added, noting that "every day is difficult" for his team. "During every training session, there are moments when Diogo Jota comes back into our thoughts."

Earlier in this World Cup, the attacking midfielder's parents were guests of the Portuguese Football Federation at one of Portugal's matches. All 26 players in the squad wear a special wristband during matches and training, which also bears Jota's name. He and his brother died on July 3, 2025, in a car accident in Spain. The two were en route to a port to catch a boat to Great Britain, as Jota was advised by doctors not to fly.

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