India, July 2 -- As the FIFA World Cup 2026 moves into a tense single-elimination stage, attention turns to a blockbuster European clash. When Portugal take on a familiar, battle-hardened Croatia team at Toronto Stadium on July 2, the story will inevitably turn to one man - Cristiano Ronaldo. And on top of the usual mission of leading the Selecao into the Round of 16, the 41-year-old icon is troubled by an ongoing historical anomaly that has cast a shadow over his legendary international career.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Knockout Curse

Despite breaking almost every goalscoring record in the game's history, including becoming the all-time leading scorer in men's international football, Ronaldo arrives in the knockout stages with a puzzling sta...