Ronaldo levels from the spot before Ramos seals victory in stoppage time
Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia on Thursday to reach the next stage of the FIFA World Cup, where they will face Spain at Dallas Stadium. The match ended with high drama after Croatia had a late equaliser ruled out following a VAR review.
Portugal controlled possession throughout much of the first half and created the better scoring opportunities. However, Croatia remained dangerous on the counterattack, combining physical defending with quick passing to threaten the Portuguese defence. Despite Portugal’s territorial dominance, Croatia’s disciplined backline kept the score level heading into halftime.
The second half began with renewed intensity as Croatia struck first in the 53rd minute. Veteran winger Ivan Perisic controlled the ball at the far post before firing a powerful finish past the goalkeeper to hand his side the lead.
Portugal respond with late comeback
Portugal quickly increased the pressure in search of an equaliser. After one attack was ruled offside, Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th minute, calmly sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his first knockout-stage goal in a FIFA World Cup and restore parity.
As extra time approached, Portugal found the decisive breakthrough. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Goncalo Ramos rose highest to meet a precise cross from Rafael Leao and headed the ball into the net, giving Portugal a dramatic 2-1 advantage.
VAR denies Croatia dramatic equaliser
Croatia believed it had rescued the match in the 90+13th minute when Josko Gvardiol finished from close range after Mario Pasalic headed the ball back across goal. However, following a VAR review, officials ruled Pasalic offside during the build-up, disallowing the goal.
The decision sparked protests from Croatian players, while some supporters threw bottles and other objects onto the pitch, briefly delaying play.
After 19 minutes of added time, the referee confirmed Portugal’s victory, ending Luka Modric’s fifth and final World Cup campaign. The Portuguese side now advances to face Spain in a highly anticipated quarterfinal encounter.
