Two legends crossed paths at a pulsating Toronto Stadium here on Thursday as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal edged Luka Modric’s Croatia 2-1 in a thrilling round of 32 encounter. With Ronaldo, 41, and Modric in the evening of their careers, the stakes were personal as the loser, in all probability, would be playing his last international match. Ultimately, Modric and Croatia bowed out. Though Modric has not officially announced his retirement yet, it’s unlikely that he could play the next World Cup at 44.

After the final whistle, Ronaldo, 41, shared a warm, extended hug with his former Real Madrid teammate, congratulating him on an illustrious international career. Both players have amassed over 200 caps for their countries. “He [Modric] is a football legend who still plays with incredible quality. I’ve told him so many times, ‘congratulations for everything’. I loved seeing him out there again,” Ronaldo said after the match.