Portugal score in stoppage-time to go past Croatia

Portugal 2-1 Croatia Gonçalo Ramos scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in a FIFA World Cup round-of-32 clash, booking their place in the last 16 after one of the tournament's most entertaining encounters. Substitute Ramos rose highest to head home Rafael Leão's cross in added time at BMO Field in Toronto, moments before Croatia were denied a dramatic equaliser when Josko Gvardiol's goal was ruled out following a lengthy VAR review. Portugal will now face Spain in a blockbuster Iberian derby for a place in the quarter-finals. The match was packed with drama, controversy and moments of individual brilliance, with four goals ruled out for offside and Cristiano Ronaldo finally scoring his first-ever goal in the knockout rounds of the World Cup. Portugal dominated the opening half and should have been ahead inside four minutes. Leão slipped Bruno Fernandes through on goal, but Dominik Livaković produced an excellent save before a Croatian defender scrambled away the rebound. Ronaldo was also denied early on, blasting a free-kick into the defensive wall before Renato Veiga headed over from a Nuno Mendes corner after being left unmarked inside the penalty area. Croatia struggled to escape their own half as Portugal controlled possession, with João Cancelo's dangerous delivery narrowly evading Ronaldo after another flowing attack. The introduction of Igor Matanović at half-time transformed Croatia's attacking threat. Within three minutes of the restart, Mateo Kovačić burst into the penalty area only to see his shot diverted wide by the outstretched foot of goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Croatia's improved display was rewarded in the 53rd minute. Josip Stani&scaron;ić's cross drifted beyond Matanović to the far post, where Ivan Peri&scaron;ić arrived to steer home and give Zlatko Dalić's side the lead. The Croatians thought they had doubled their advantage just three minutes later when Matanović converted Mario Pa&scaron;alić's low cross, only for the assistant referee's flag to cut short the celebrations. Portugal responded immediately. Leão crashed a powerful effort against the crossbar before Ronaldo appeared to produce one of the goals of the tournament, brilliantly controlling Cancelo's sweeping pass before calmly finishing beyond Livaković. However, VAR ruled that the veteran forward had strayed marginally offside. Ronaldo did not have to wait long for redemption. Moments later, referee Espen Eskås awarded Portugal a penalty after a VAR review showed Nikola Vla&scaron;ić wrestling Renato Veiga to the ground during a corner. Ronaldo confidently blasted the spot-kick straight down the middle to level the scores and register his first goal in the knockout stages of a World Cup. Croatia continued to threaten in an absorbing contest. Kovačić struck the post with a low drive after an excellent run through midfield before Costa produced another fine save to tip his follow-up effort over the crossbar. Luka Sučić also believed he had restored Croatia's lead, but his finish was chalked off for offside, the third disallowed Croatian goal of the evening. With extra time looming, Portugal found one final moment of quality. Deep into stoppage time, Leão delivered a teasing cross into the area and Ramos rose above the Croatian defence to power a header beyond Livaković, sparking wild celebrations among the Portuguese players and supporters. Yet there was still one final twist. Croatia thought they had forced extra time when Gvardiol bundled the ball into the net in the 12th minute of added time. After another lengthy VAR review, however, the goal was ruled out after officials determined that Matanović had made the slightest touch before the ball reached the offside Pa&scaron;alić in the build-up. The final whistle confirmed Portugal's place in the last 16 after a gripping contest that showcased the drama and fine margins of knockout football. With Ronaldo breaking his knockout-stage duck and Ramos once again proving decisive from the bench, Portugal now turn their attention to an enticing showdown with neighbours Spain in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the tournament.

World Cup 2026

Portugal score in stoppage-time to go past Croatia