Roberto Martinez says Portugal’s World Cup win over Croatia was a fitting way to honour the memory of Diogo Jota.
On the one year anniversary of the former Portugal star’s death, goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos sent Portugal into the last 16 with a 2-1 win over Croatia.
“I’m very pleased because in the second half we showed a lot of heart, but also a lot of ability to use different player profiles and adapt what we needed,” Portugal boss Martinez said.
“Of course, now at the World Cup, we need to improve in every aspect and make the best use of everything we have. But I think this is a day to be very proud of our players.
“The match was fantastic for football fans in general, and for us Portuguese, it is a very happy day and a source of pride because of the significance of the game as well. We reached the round of 16 on the day we honoured Diogo Jota and Andre (Silva), and also the father of Ricardo Carvalho, and we played against Croatia, the team against whom Diogo Jota scored his final goal for the national team. And the score was 2–1, which corresponds to Jota’s number 21.
“There were many signs, but I think we deserved the victory.”
Portugal will now face rivals Spain in the last 16 of the competition.
“We have great respect for Spain’s quality, but it is a European team. We know Spain very well, and they also know very well what we are about,” Martinez said.
“I think it’s going to be a fantastic, fantastic match. Another European game within the World Cup. Given the demands and conditions of the World Cup, it will still be a European-style match but these are two teams that want the ball, that want to get forward quickly and create chances. So I think it’s going to be a great game.”
