Portugal qualify for the World Cup last 16 after beating Croatia in a closely contested match marked by dramatic swings and VAR-related controversy. Portugal’s decisive moment comes when Gonçalo Ramos scores, with the winning goal built from a cross by Rafael Leão that is flicked into the net. Leão’s reaction reflects the tension of the finish, as both teams push for late breakthroughs. Luka Modrić, playing his 40th year, is among the key figures for Croatia and leaves the tournament at the end of the match. Cristiano Ronaldo also features prominently for Portugal; he scores and is later substituted as the contest turns eventful. Multiple sources describe the game as a hard-fought, end-to-end encounter in which momentum changes repeatedly, and neither side concedes control for long. The match’s late moments draw attention to VAR drama, which adds to the intensity of the finish. With the result, Portugal secure progression to the knockout stage while Croatia are eliminated.
Gonçalo Ramos sends Portugal to World Cup last 16 after VAR-fuelled thriller vs Croatia
Portugal qualify for the World Cup last 16 after beating Croatia in a closely contested match marked by dramatic swings and VAR-related controversy. Portugal’s decisive moment comes when Gonçalo Ramos...
- Portugal qualify for the World Cup last 16 by defeating Croatia.
- Gonçalo Ramos scores the decisive goal, turning a Rafael Leão cross into the net.
- The match features VAR drama and a late, high-pressure finish.
- Luka Modrić plays for Croatia but leaves the tournament after the loss.
- Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Portugal and is later substituted in an incident-filled match.
Rafael Leão dropped to his knees. Leão’s expression was not one of delight, but relief. Billed as the last dance for two footballing icons, it was Luka Modrić who, at the age of 40, had to leave what will surely be his final World Cup.
1 month agoRafael Leão dropped to his knees. His cross had just been flicked into the net by Gonçalo Ramos to take Portugal to the last 16 of the World Cup. Leão’s expression was not one of delight, but relief.Billed as the last dance for two footballing icons, it was Luka Modrić who, at the age of 40, had to leave what will surely be his final World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, plays on, and both scored and was even substituted in a match of endless incident. But this was a contest about more than two individuals, who were far from the most influential players on show. Instead this was an old-fashioned World Cup battle between hardened teams, with momentum swinging first one way then the other then back again. Neither side was willing to give up on their dream, and Portugal were the lucky ones in the end. Continue reading...
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