Ramos Header Completes Portugal's Dramatic Comeback Over Croatia
Match statistics
View knockout bracket →- Ivan Perisic 53'(Josip Stanisic)
- Cristiano Ronaldo 68'(pen)
- Gonçalo Ramos 90+4'(Rafael Leão)
- Rúben Dias 17'
- Luka Modrić 59'
- Ivan Perisic 90+8'
HT 0–0|Poss 60–40%|Shots 15–13|SOT 3–6
Thu, Jul 2, 2026 • 12:00 (Los Angeles local)
Portugal beat Croatia 2–1 at Toronto Stadium in one of the most dramatic World Cup round-of-32 ties. Ivan Perisic finished Josip Stanisic's cross on 53 minutes, but Cristiano Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot on 68 minutes — his first goal in a World Cup knockout match — before substitute Gonçalo Ramos glanced in Rafael Leão's cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
The match was still not done: Josko Gvardiol thought he had equalised deep into added time, but VAR ruled Mario Pasalic offside after Igor Matanovic's faint touch on Perisic's cross. Portugal finished with 60% possession, 15 shots and three on target to Croatia's 13 and six in front of 43,036 fans. Rúben Dias was booked on 17 minutes; Luka Modrić and Ivan Perisic were cautioned for Croatia.
Portugal advance to the round of 16 and will face Spain in Dallas on Monday — a rematch of the 2025 Nations League final. Croatia bow out with Luka Modrić likely playing his final World Cup match, denied by Connected Ball technology after more than 10 minutes of stoppage time.