Gonçalo Ramos scored a dramatic added-time winner as Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 to secure a place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The match, played in Toronto, featured four disallowed goals – a World Cup record – including a last-second Croatia equalizer that was ruled out by VAR.
First Half: Portugal Dominate but Fail to Score
Portugal controlled the opening period, creating several clear chances. Rafael Leão burst down the left in the eighth minute and cut back to Bruno Fernandes, whose first shot was saved by Dominik Livaković and the second blocked. Pedro Neto was a persistent threat, sending whipped crosses into the box, but none found a teammate. Livaković missed a cross on the half-hour, but the ball eluded Cristiano Ronaldo, and another cross had Ronaldo and Fernandes stretching at the far post but unable to connect.
Croatia defended resolutely, standing up to Portugal's waves of attacks. They looked to isolate Martin Baturina against João Cancelo and cross for Ante Budimir, but Rúben Dias's physical marking limited Budimir's impact.
Second Half: Croatia Strike First, Then VAR Drama
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić replaced Budimir with Igor Matanović at half-time, and the momentum shifted. In the 53rd minute, Josip Stanišić crossed from the right, and Ivan Perišić emerged at the back post to control and fire past Diogo Costa. Croatia then went on a rampage: Petar Sučić set up Matanović for a goal ruled offside, and Sučić forced a save from Costa in the 59th minute.
Portugal fought back. Leão crashed a 25-yard shot off the bar, and Ronaldo had a goal disallowed for offside. In the 63rd minute, Livaković took too many touches on a backpass and put the ball behind for a corner. Portugal's bench called for VAR, and after a review, referee Espen Eskås awarded a penalty for a foul on Leão by Nikola Vlašić.
Ronaldo stepped up and converted the penalty, sending Livaković the wrong way and celebrating with his trademark 'Siuu' as the crowd roared.
Late Drama: Ramos Seals the Win
After the equalizer, Croatia remained superior. Mateo Kovačić had two long-range efforts saved, Matanović forced a save at the near post, and Sučić had another goal ruled offside. Ronaldo was substituted for Rúben Neves, an unusual move that reflected coach Roberto Martínez's tactical shift.
Portugal closed spaces on the counterattack and regained possession in the final minutes. In the 90+1 minute, Leão's cross was flicked in by Ramos at the near post. The celebration was so prolonged that the referee added three extra minutes. In the last second, Joško Gvardiol scored for Croatia, but VAR ruled it offside – the fourth disallowed goal of the match. Fans threw plastic bottles onto the pitch in protest, but the decision stood.
According to FIFA, this was the first World Cup match with four disallowed goals. Ramos told reporters after the match: "It was an incredible feeling. We never gave up and believed until the end."
Impact: Portugal Advance, Croatia Eliminated
Portugal's win sends them to the round of 16, while Croatia – led by 40-year-old Luka Modrić in what is likely his final World Cup – are eliminated. Despite being named player of the match, Ronaldo was not the most influential player on the pitch, with Leão and Neto creating more chances. The match was an old-fashioned battle between two hardened teams, with momentum swinging throughout.
