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Gonçalo Ramos scored a goal in stoppage time and Croatia had a last-gasp effort ruled out as Portugal claimed a dramatic 2-1 win on Thursday and secured a spot in the World Cup last 16.
Portugal will now face European champions Spain, who earlier advanced thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria.
"I've been through moments like these and I said that today we had to know how to suffer. To win a tournament like this, you have to know how to suffer," Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo said.
Croatia hit the target first as veteran Ivan Perisic smashed the opener into the net in the 53rd minute.
But Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th to score his first goal in a World Cup knock-out match and equalize for Portugal. At the age of 41, he also became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knock-out stage.
Croatia had two goals ruled out in the second half, one from Nikola Vlasic in the 56th and another from Petar Sucic in the 80th. Ronaldo also had a goal disallowed shortly before he scored from the spot.
The game looked set to go to extra-time, but Ramos became Portugal's hero.
Rafael Leão sent a superb cross into the area where Ramos found the ball with a powerful header in the fourth minute of added time.
There was more drama as Croatia found the back of the net in the 12th minute of stoppage time. But it was another heartbreak for Luka Modric and his team-mates as the goal was also disallowed for offside.
After the final whistle, Portugal players held up the number 21 shirt - Diogo Jota's - which was then worn by Ronaldo, who pointed to the sky with tear in his eyes.
Jota and his brother, Andre, died on July 3, 2025 in a car accident.
"It's a special day, as you know, for our Jota. He's up there illuminating us, and it's a special moment. We all feel he's with us, and it only made sense to win to honour him in the best way," Ronaldo said.
Portugal's suffering pays off
Portugal saw more of the ball in the first half despite not creating many chances, but Croatia returned from the break with much more intent.
Fans celebrated Mateo Kovacic's effort in the 48th, but he only hit the side netting after the ball was deflected.
The Croatians, however, took a deserved lead just five minutes later. Josip Stanisic's cross to the box was missed by Igor Matanovic, but the ball fell to Perisic, who controlled it before smashing it into the net.
They were again on target in the 56th, but Vlasic's goal was ruled out for offside.
Portugal tried to hit back and Leão drilled one off the crossbar in the 58th. Croatia immediately replied and forced Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa into a big save to deny Petar Sucic.
Ronaldo was initially denied in the 61st, but his moment of glory finally came seven minutes later.
Portugal had a corner and Renato Veiga was brought down by Vlasic off the ball, and the referee awarded Portugal a penalty after video review.
There was no question that Ronaldo would take the spot-kick and he fired it past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Croatia had a big moment in the 75th and almost retook the lead. Kovacic shot from distance, but hit the post. He collected the rebound, but Costa made another superb save.
Sucic thought he had grabbed the winner for Croatia, but the flag was up as they had a second goal disallowed.
Ramos' goal seemed to have put an end to the match and secured Portugal in the last 16, but there was more drama in store.
A ball was crossed and Croatian fans went wild when Josko Gvardiol struck it into the net. However, after video review, the referee ruled the goal out for a controversial offside in the play.
Mario Pasalic was onside when the ball was crossed to the box, but the referee deemed that Matanovic touched it, which changed Pasalic situation when he passed the ball to Gvardiol.
Bottles rained down onto the pitch from the Croatia supporters and the match was briefly interrupted, but the decision stood and Croatia will be going home.
"They scored, it got a bit stressing for us, but there was relief after the penalty. From that point, the game got easier, things were still a bit difficult, but that's what the competition is and we have to be prepared and keep going," Ronaldo said.
Portugal will now face European champions Spain, who earlier advanced thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria.
"I've been through moments like these and I said that today we had to know how to suffer. To win a tournament like this, you have to know how to suffer," Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo said.
Croatia hit the target first as veteran Ivan Perisic smashed the opener into the net in the 53rd minute.
But Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th to score his first goal in a World Cup knock-out match and equalize for Portugal. At the age of 41, he also became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knock-out stage.
Croatia had two goals ruled out in the second half, one from Nikola Vlasic in the 56th and another from Petar Sucic in the 80th. Ronaldo also had a goal disallowed shortly before he scored from the spot.
The game looked set to go to extra-time, but Ramos became Portugal's hero.
Rafael Leão sent a superb cross into the area where Ramos found the ball with a powerful header in the fourth minute of added time.
There was more drama as Croatia found the back of the net in the 12th minute of stoppage time. But it was another heartbreak for Luka Modric and his team-mates as the goal was also disallowed for offside.
After the final whistle, Portugal players held up the number 21 shirt - Diogo Jota's - which was then worn by Ronaldo, who pointed to the sky with tear in his eyes.
Jota and his brother, Andre, died on July 3, 2025 in a car accident.
"It's a special day, as you know, for our Jota. He's up there illuminating us, and it's a special moment. We all feel he's with us, and it only made sense to win to honour him in the best way," Ronaldo said.
Portugal's suffering pays off
Portugal saw more of the ball in the first half despite not creating many chances, but Croatia returned from the break with much more intent.
Fans celebrated Mateo Kovacic's effort in the 48th, but he only hit the side netting after the ball was deflected.
The Croatians, however, took a deserved lead just five minutes later. Josip Stanisic's cross to the box was missed by Igor Matanovic, but the ball fell to Perisic, who controlled it before smashing it into the net.
They were again on target in the 56th, but Vlasic's goal was ruled out for offside.
Portugal tried to hit back and Leão drilled one off the crossbar in the 58th. Croatia immediately replied and forced Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa into a big save to deny Petar Sucic.
Ronaldo was initially denied in the 61st, but his moment of glory finally came seven minutes later.
Portugal had a corner and Renato Veiga was brought down by Vlasic off the ball, and the referee awarded Portugal a penalty after video review.
There was no question that Ronaldo would take the spot-kick and he fired it past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Croatia had a big moment in the 75th and almost retook the lead. Kovacic shot from distance, but hit the post. He collected the rebound, but Costa made another superb save.
Sucic thought he had grabbed the winner for Croatia, but the flag was up as they had a second goal disallowed.
Ramos' goal seemed to have put an end to the match and secured Portugal in the last 16, but there was more drama in store.
A ball was crossed and Croatian fans went wild when Josko Gvardiol struck it into the net. However, after video review, the referee ruled the goal out for a controversial offside in the play.
Mario Pasalic was onside when the ball was crossed to the box, but the referee deemed that Matanovic touched it, which changed Pasalic situation when he passed the ball to Gvardiol.
Bottles rained down onto the pitch from the Croatia supporters and the match was briefly interrupted, but the decision stood and Croatia will be going home.
"They scored, it got a bit stressing for us, but there was relief after the penalty. From that point, the game got easier, things were still a bit difficult, but that's what the competition is and we have to be prepared and keep going," Ronaldo said.
