Portugal Survives Late Drama to Beat Croatia 2-1, Ronaldo Scores Historic Knockout Goal
Cristiano Ronaldo made history by scoring his first World Cup knockout-stage goal, leading Portugal to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia on Thursday. The match, held at Toronto Stadium, saw Goncalo Ramos net a stoppage-time header, securing Portugal’s advancement to the last-16 clash against Spain.
Late Drama and VAR Controversy
As the match neared its conclusion, Croatia appeared to have equalized, leaving Ronaldo visibly upset on the bench. However, the goal was disallowed following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, which determined that Josko Gvardiol was offside after the ball had touched Igor Matanovic. This decision sparked frustration among Croatian supporters, who responded by throwing debris onto the pitch.
Ramos expressed the intensity of the moment, stating that the pressure of knockout games is immense, but he thrives in such situations. He emphasized his desire to be involved in crucial moments of the game.
Ronaldo’s Historic Achievement
At 41 years old, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match. He equalized for Portugal in the 68th minute with a penalty kick, firing the ball straight down the middle of the goal after Renato Veiga was fouled in the area. This marked Ronaldo’s first goal in a World Cup knockout game.
Croatia initially took the lead in the 53rd minute when Ivan Perisic skillfully converted a pass from Josip Stanisic, placing the ball into the far corner of the net.
Portugal’s First Half Dominance
Portugal controlled possession throughout the first half but struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. A refreshing breeze from Lake Ontario provided relief from the sweltering heat that had enveloped the city earlier in the day.
Despite being heavily booed by Croatian fans, Ronaldo had several near misses, including a failed attempt to connect with an early cross from Pedro Neto. Bruno Fernandes also missed a chance from a deep cross by Joao Cancelo.
Croatia, the World Cup runners-up in 2018 and third-place finishers in 2022, came out strong after halftime. Mateo Kovacic nearly doubled their lead, but his shot hit the side of the net. Nikola Vlasic thought he had scored Croatia’s second goal, only to be ruled offside after poking the ball in.
Portugal quickly responded, with Rafael Leao striking the crossbar from outside the area. Ronaldo nearly found the net with a clever flick over goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, but was again flagged offside.
Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota
The match held special significance for Portugal, as it took place one day before the one-year anniversary of forward Diogo Jota’s tragic death in a car accident. An image of Jota in his No. 21 shirt was displayed on the stadium’s video boards, and fans paid tribute with a standing ovation in the 21st minute.
After the match, an emotional Ronaldo donned Jota’s red No. 21 shirt, expressing his sentiments on social media. He dedicated the victory to Jota and the nation of Portugal.
Looking Ahead
The match marked a significant moment in the tournament, showcasing two legendary players in Ronaldo and Luka Modric. While Ronaldo’s World Cup aspirations remain alive, Modric faces uncertainty regarding his international future.
Portugal and Croatia both have substantial diaspora communities in the Greater Toronto Area, with thousands of supporters braving the heat to witness this historic encounter. As the game commenced, temperatures had dropped from a sweltering high of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), leading to the cancellation of an outdoor watch party.
Portugal is set to face Spain on Monday in Dallas, with the winner advancing to play either Belgium or the United States in the quarter-finals.
As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-07-03 05:40:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk