Cristiano fired 10-man Kashiwa Reysol into the quarterfinals of the Emperor's Cup with a last-gasp strike in a 2-1 extra-time win over Ventforet Kofu on Sunday.
Kashiwa had to play the all 30 minutes of extra time a man down following the dismissal of defender Daisuke Suzuki, but Cristiano played a one-two with substitute Tomoki Imai and drove home to snatch victory in the 120th minute.
Kashiwa will face Vegalta Sendai, 2-1 winners over Matsumoto Yamaga on Saturday, in the quarterfinals on Dec. 26. Holders Gamba Osaka will play Sagan Tosu, who beat Montedio Yamagata 4-3 on Saturday, after goals from Kotaro Omori and Shu Kurata earned a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale at Expo Stadium in Sunday's only other fourth-round tie.