Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved his influence on the big stage as Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia to book their place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Stadium Toronto.
Croatia drew first blood in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perišić, who calmly finished inside the penalty box to give his side a deserved lead in a tightly contested encounter.
Portugal responded in the 68th minute when Ronaldo stepped up and confidently converted a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul inside the area, bringing the match back level.
Just when extra time looked inevitable, Gonçalo Ramos emerged as Portugal’s hero with a last-gasp header in the 90+4th minute from a precise cross, sealing a stunning late turnaround.
The result confirmed Portugal’s progression to the round of 16, while Croatia were left devastated after conceding a decisive goal in the dying moments of a fiercely competitive match.
The match once again highlighted Portugal’s resilience on the global stage, with their experienced leader playing a key role in another crucial knockout victory.
