Portugal survived a fierce battle with Croatia to win 2-1 at the 2026 World Cup, with a dramatic stoppage-time header sealing their place in the next round. The result, decided in the dying moments in Toronto, sent Portugal through and ended Croatia's tournament.
The Round of 32 clash was played in the Greater Toronto Area, the city's final match as a World Cup host. It was billed as a heavyweight meeting between two footballing nations, drawing huge crowds of fans who marched through the streets before kickoff, and it lived up to the occasion.
It was Croatia who struck first. Ivan Perisic put his side ahead in the 53rd minute, beating Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa to give Croatia the lead and silence much of the Portuguese support inside the stadium.
Portugal's talisman soon hauled them level. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, stepped up to convert a penalty in the 68th minute to make it 1-1, a strike that was notably the first goal of his career in a World Cup knockout match.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. Goncalo Ramos rose above two Croatia defenders to head the ball into the net in the fourth minute of added time, a late winner that sent the Portuguese fans into raptures and left Croatia devastated.
Ronaldo himself had been withdrawn before the finish, coming off in the closing stages after playing his part in the comeback. For the veteran forward, the win keeps his World Cup campaign alive as Portugal push deeper into the tournament.
The victory sets up a mouth-watering next assignment. Portugal advance to the Round of 16, where they will meet Spain, who earlier in the day had cruised past Austria 3-0 to book their own place in the last 16.
For Croatia, it was a heartbreaking end after coming so close to forcing extra time. Beaten by the narrowest of margins in the last seconds, they exit the World Cup, while Portugal march on with momentum and a marquee showdown with Spain to come.