Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto, reach World Cup 2026 Round of 16 vs Spain

Portugal survived a wild, sprawling finish in Toronto to edge Croatia 2-1 and reach the last 16, a night defined by Cristiano Ronaldo’s first-ever World Cup knockout goal, Gonçalo Ramos’ late header, and a dramatic VAR intervention that denied Josko Gvardiol a stoppage‑time equaliser. Croatia had led through Ivan Perisic and looked the sharper side […] By Faz Ali

These Round of 32 matches are definitely full of twists. Portugal came back from 1-0 down to beat Croatia in Toronto. Goncalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner after Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier equalised from the penalty spot. 

GONCALO Ramos scored a late, late winner as Portugal came from behind to sneak this tug-of-war Toronto tussle at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Ivan Perisic had given Croatia the lead shortly after the break, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s third goal of these finals drew Portugal level. Ramos then rose highest to send a Rafael Leao […]

Portugal advanced to the round of 16 after a 2-1 win against Croatia at Toronto Stadium on Thursday. Croatia legend Luka Modrić, age 40 and likely playing for the last time at a World Cup, looked crestfallen at the final whistle. The 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo lives to fight another day and couldn't hide his relief when just moments earlier he stood helplessly on the sidelines in anguish, believing Portugal had blown it.

TORONTO— At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo will get another match in a Portugal uniform, thanks to a penalty he scored, a stoppage time header by Goncalo Ramos, and a VAR ruling the Croatia team still doesn’t understand. Ramos headed in the winner as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a wild finish that also included a Croatian goal disallowed for offside just before the final whistle in a World Cup round of 32 match on Thursday night. READ: Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first player to score in six World Cups The game featured a matchup of 40-somethings — Ronaldo, in his sixth World […]...Keep on reading: World Cup: Portugal rallies to beat Croatia and advance to round of 16

TORONTO, Canada — Substitute Goncalo Ramos’s headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after Croatia were dramatically denied an equalizer by VAR. Ramos settled a classic World Cup game when he connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snuff out a Croatia team which had created the lion’s share of the chances in sapping heat in Toronto. Croatia thought they had snatched a goal in the dying seconds of extra time, but Josko Gvardiol’s goal was chalked off for offside. The Croatians were left stunned […]...Keep on reading: World Cup: Portugal, Ronaldo advance, thanks to last-gasp Ramos winner

Gonçalo Ramos' 94th-minute header put Portugal ahead before a controversial VAR offside call denied Croatia a late equalizer, sending Portugal to the Round of 16 against Spain.

Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos after a chaotic second-half in Toronto to set up a last 16 tie with Iberian rivals Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout-stage goal before Goncalo Ramos struck in stoppage time to complete Portugal's comeback in Toronto.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal during Portugal's win over Croatia during their World Cup game today. Photo: Reuters Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first World Cup knockout stage goal of his career, Goncalo Ramos netted a stoppage-time header and Portugal got a last-second break on an offside call to beat Croatia 2-1 today and set up a last 16 clash with Spain.

Substitute Goncalo Ramos's headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after Croatia were dramatically denied an equalizer by VAR. Ramos settled a classic World Cup game when he connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snuff out a Croatia team which had created the lion's share of the chances in sapping heat in Toronto.Croatia continued to create more chances than their opponents and Mario Pasalic came so close to winning

Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos scored the two goals for Portugal as they beat Croatia 2-1 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 in a VAR-drama filled clash in Toronto.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos scored the two goals for Portugal as they beat Croatia 2-1 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 in a VAR-drama filled clash in Toronto.

In a thrilling World Cup showdown, Portugal triumphed over Croatia with a 2-1 scoreline, courtesy of a last-minute header by Goncalo Ramos. Croatia initially led with a goal from Ivan Perišić, but Cristiano Ronaldo leveled the match from the penalty spot, making history as the tournament's oldest scorer. A contentious offside call thwarted Croatia's hopes for a late equalizer, marking a bittersweet end to Luka Modrić's remarkable international journey.

Goncalo Ramos headed in a pass from Rafael Leao in stoppage time as Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier converted a penalty kick, watched from the bench as Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 on Thursday, ending Luka Modrić’s fifth bid for a World Cup. Ronaldo initially tied things up in the 68th minute on a penalty kick […]

Portugal produced a dramatic late comeback to beat Croatia 2-1 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash in Toronto, as substitute Gonçalo Ramos headed home a stoppage-time winner to book a blockbuster last-16 meeting with Spain. After trailing for much of the second half following Ivan Perišić's opener, Portugal fought back through Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty before Ramos completed the turnaround in the 94th minute.Croatia seemed to have forced extra time but a VAR review ruled out Joško Gvardiol's goal for offside ending the Balkan nation's hopes. At 41 years and 147 days old, Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the oldest player to score in a knockout-stage game at the men’s World Cup. pic.twitter.com/XMAnRKR7bP— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 3, 2026 Portugal started brightly and could have been ahead within four minutes. Rafael Leão burst past the Croatian defence before cutting the ball back for Bruno Fernandes, whose first effort was saved by Dominik Livaković before Josip Šutalo blocked the rebound.Pedro Neto continued to trouble Croatia's backline with a series of dangerous deliveries. One teasing cross narrowly evaded Cristiano Ronaldo, while another caused panic inside the penalty area before Leão volleyed over from close range.The breakthrough came shortly after halftime through Ivan Perišić. Nikola Vlašić combined brilliantly with Josip Stanišić down the right flank before the Bayern Munich defender delivered a precise cross to the far post, where Perišić finished clinically beyond Diogo Costa.'One Will Play Their Last World Cup Game': 41-Year-Old Ronaldo Faces Ex-Teammate 40-Year-Old Modric In Portugal Vs Croatia Knockout ClashPortugal finally found their equaliser after a VAR review spotted Nikola Vlašić pulling Renato Veiga inside the penalty area during a corner. The referee pointed to the spot, and Ronaldo made no mistake, calmly sending Livaković the wrong way to score his third goal of the tournament and his 11th in FIFA World Cup history.In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Leão delivered an inviting cross into the six-yard box, where Gonçalo Ramos rose above the Croatian defence to head home and spark wild celebrations among the Portugal players and coaching staff.Croatia almost had the final word when Mario Pašalić squared for Joško Gvardiol to score deep into added time. However, after another VAR review, Pašalić was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up, preserving Portugal's dramatic victory.Portugal will now face Spain in Dallas on July 6 for a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals.

Goncalo Ramos headed in a pass from Rafael Leao in stoppage time as Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier converted a penalty kick, watched from the bench as Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 on Thursday, ending Luka Modrić’s fifth bid for a World Cup.

TORONTO, Canada (AFP)—Substitute Goncalo Ramos's headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after Croatia were dramatically denied an equalizer by VAR. Ramos settled a classic World Cup game when he connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snuff out a Croatia team which had created the lion's share of the chances in sapping heat in Toronto. Croatia thought they had snatched a goal in the dying seconds of extra time, but Josko Gvardiol's goal was chalked off for offside. The Croatians were left stunned by the decision, and their fans began hurling rubbish on the pitch. In the seconds before Gvardiol's disallowed goal, the Portuguese bench and coach Roberto Martinez were growing increasingly livid, begging match officials for the final whistle. Cristiano Ronaldo played his role in the victory, stroking home a penalty that cancelled out Ivan Perisic's opener. It was Ronaldo's first ever goal in the knockout phase of the World Cup, and it made him the oldest scorer in that phase in the tournament's history. His remarkable international career will now have another chapter when Portugal face Spain in Dallas on Monday. After the match, Ronaldo shared a long exchange with Croatian legend Luka Modric, one of football's all-time greats, whose World Cup career has almost certainly ended with Thursday's defeat. The match marked the first time that two outfield players aged over 40 took to the same pitch in a World Cup. At the end, the Portugal players also paid tribute to late teammate Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash a year ago, by holding up his number 21 shirt. - Ronaldo penalty - After a lacklustre first half, Croatian veteran Perisic stunned the Portuguese by slotting the ball under the advancing Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 53rd minute. Within minutes, Ronaldo had the ball in the net after controlling a long pass, but his effort was disallowed for offside. But Portugal got level when Renato Veiga was grabbed by Croatia's Nikola Vlasic in the penalty area and after a VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot. Ronaldo stepped up to convert the penalty with ease, hitting the ball straight down the middle of the goal and pumping his fists with joy afterwards, triggering defeaning cheers in the Toronto stadium. In a pulsating game, Manchester City forward Mateo Kovacic's low shot was pushed onto a post by 'keeper Costa's fingertips. Still Croatia pushed and Peta Sucic had the ball in the net but the assistant referee's flag was up for a clear offside. Ronaldo was withdrawn in the 81st minute to allow Ruben Neves to come on. The sellout crowd of 43,000 erupted with appreciation as Ronaldo went off -- unsure in the moment if he would appear again at in World Cup. Croatia continued to create more chances than their opponents and Mario Pasalic came so close to winning the game with a header at the far post, but it bounced just wide. But when Ramos connected, the net bulged and Portugal were through. While the crowd tilted towards Portugal, the sizeable and vocal Croatian contingent smothered the stadium with booes every time Ronaldo touched the ball. Tens of thousands of people with Portuguese lineage live in and around Toronto and Ronaldo's presence in the city also sparked waves of enthusiasm -- and chaos on a major highway a day before the match. A multi-lane expressway was forced to close Wednesday when hundreds of fans lined the shoulder hoping to get a glimpse of the passing Portuguese team bus.

A late Goncalo Ramos header saw Portugal advance to the last 16 of the World Cup, courtesy of a 2-1 win over Croatia in Toronto.