Toronto sees Portugal survive late scare from Croatia at World Cup

By Rohan Gupta — 3 July 2026 — 4 min read

Portugal secures victory in dramatic match

Portugal advanced to the World Cup last 16 after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia, marked by a late winning goal from Gonçalo Ramos. The match, held in Toronto, featured significant moments of VAR intervention and a total of four disallowed goals, including one that would have equalized for Croatia in the final moments.

The atmosphere in the stadium was lively, with the evening bringing cooler temperatures after a warm day. Portugal initially dominated the first half, creating several opportunities. Rafael Leão delivered a cross early in the game, leading to two shots from Bruno Fernandes, both of which were saved by Dominik Livaković or blocked by the defense. Pedro Neto was a consistent threat for Portugal in the opening period, sending multiple crosses into the box that narrowly missed connecting with teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernandes.

Croatia, despite being on the defensive for much of the first half, maintained their composure and had a strategy to isolate Martin Baturina against João Cancelo and deliver crosses for Ante Budimir. However, this approach was not overly successful, partly due to the physical presence of Rúben Dias.

Second half sees shift in momentum and VAR drama

The second half began with a notable shift in momentum, as Croatia started stronger. Coach Zlatko Dalić introduced Igor Matanović at half-time, and Croatia quickly took the lead. Josep Stanišić delivered a cross from the right, which Ivan Perišić controlled and shot past Diogo Costa, giving Croatia the advantage. Shortly after, Petar Sučić found Matanović in the box, who scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Sučić later had a strong shot saved by Costa.

Portugal also had their chances, with Leão hitting the crossbar and Ronaldo having a goal disallowed for offside. A critical moment occurred when Livaković inadvertently gave away a corner after a backpass. Following the corner, VAR was consulted, and a penalty was awarded to Portugal after Nikola Vlašić was judged to have fouled Leão. Ronaldo converted the penalty, leveling the score and marking his first World Cup knockout goal.

Following Ronaldo’s goal, Croatia continued to press, with Mateo Kovačić having two long-range shots saved and Matanović forcing another save. Sučić had another goal disallowed for offside. Ronaldo was later substituted for Rúben Neves, a decision that appeared to be a tactical move by coach Roberto Martínez. This change seemed to help Portugal regain control, closing down counter-attack spaces and dominating possession.

The match reached a dramatic conclusion when Gonçalo Ramos headed in a stoppage-time winner from a cross by Rafael Leão, securing Portugal’s 2-1 victory. The celebrations were extensive, leading the referee to add extra minutes to stoppage time. In the final moments, Joško Gvardiol scored for Croatia, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review, which utilized technology similar to cricket’s ‘snick-o-meter’ to detect a touch from Igor Matanović, making Mario Pašalić offside.

Key performances and next steps

The match was billed as a significant event for two prominent players, Luka Modrić and Cristiano Ronaldo. Modrić, at 40, concluded what is likely his final World Cup appearance, while Ronaldo continues in the tournament. Despite being named player of the match, Ronaldo was substituted in the 80th minute, an unusual occurrence that reflected the tactical decisions made during the game. His reaction to the substitution indicated disappointment, though he later embraced Ramos after the winning goal.

Gonçalo Ramos’s winning goal was a crucial moment for Portugal. His ability to capitalize on the opportunity, despite not having a clear sight of goal, proved decisive. This goal could potentially elevate his standing within the team, as he has often been a substitute for Portugal. The team’s performance demonstrated their resilience and ability to grow into the competition, as noted by Ramos himself.

Ivan Perišić, at 37, also delivered a strong performance for Croatia, scoring his 39th goal in his 158th appearance for the national team. His goal against Portugal added to his record of scoring in multiple World Cup tournaments. The match was a testament to the enduring presence of experienced players on the international stage.

Portugal is now set to face Spain in Dallas on July 6.

Source: theguardian.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter