Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in their final group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, booking their place in the round of 16. The match, played in sweltering heat in Toronto, was a tense affair with both sides creating chances.

Substitute Goncalo Ramos proved to be the hero, heading home a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snatch the win. Croatia thought they had equalized in the dying seconds through Josko Gvardiol, but the goal was ruled out for offside, leaving the Croatian players stunned.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout stage goal, converting a penalty to cancel out Ivan Perisic's opener. Perisic had given Croatia the lead in the 53rd minute, slotting the ball under advancing goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Ronaldo nearly equalized immediately, controlling a long pass and putting the ball in the net, but his effort was disallowed for offside. Portugal's equalizer came after Renato Veiga was grabbed by Croatia's Nikola Vlasic in the penalty area; a VAR check led to a penalty, which Ronaldo calmly converted by driving the ball down the middle.

Croatia continued to press, with Mateo Kovacic's low shot tipped onto the post by Costa's fingertips. Petar Sucic also had the ball in the net, but the assistant referee's flag was up for a clear offside.

Ronaldo was substituted in the 81st minute for Ruben Neves. Croatia created more chances, with Mario Pasalic coming close to winning the game with a header at the far post, but it bounced just wide.

Portugal will now face Spain in Dallas on Monday in the round of 16. Ronaldo's remarkable international career adds another chapter as Portugal progresses.

Source: www.aljazeera.com