Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, with Cristiano Ronaldo converting a penalty before Goncalo Ramos headed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner in the 90+4th minute.

The drama reached its peak deep into added time. Croatia thought they had rescued the match when Mario Pasalic found the net to level the score at 2-2. However, following a lengthy VAR review lasting more than two and a half minutes, the goal was ruled out, sparking furious protests from Croatian players.

The controversial decision triggered heated scenes inside the stadium, with sections of the Croatia fans responding by throwing bottles onto the pitch and whistling loudly in frustration. Despite the late controversy, Portugal held on to book their place in the next round, while the VAR intervention is likely to remain one of the most debated moments of the tournament.

World Cup 2026

Portugal - Croatia 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: Perišić I., 53 (0:1); Cristiano Ronaldo, 68 (penalty) (1:1); Ramos G., 94 (2:1)

Portugal: Costa D.; Cancelo (Ramos G., 63); Veiga; Mendes N.; Dias R.; Vitinha F. (Bernardo Silva, 62); Fernandes B. (Semedo N., 63); Neves J. P.; Cristiano Ronaldo (Ruben Neves, 81); Rafael Leão; Pedro Neto (Conceicao F., 63)
Substitution: Bernardo Silva (from 62); Semedo N. (from 63); Conceicao F. (from 63); Ramos G. (from 63); Ruben Neves (from 81)
Bench: José Sá; Rui Silva; Araújo T.; Dalot; Inacio; Samú Costa; Matheus Nunes; Félix J.; Guedes G.; Trincão
Yellow Cards: Dias R. 17

Croatia: Livaković; Sutalo J.; Stanisic; Pongracic; Sucic P.; Kovacic M. (Kramaric, 90); Modric; Vlašić (Gvardiol, 90); Perišić I.; Baturina M. (Pasalic Mario, 68); Budimir (Matanovic, 46)
Substitution: Matanovic (from 46); Pasalic Mario (from 68); Gvardiol (from 90); Kramaric (from 90)
Bench: Pandur; Kotarski; Caleta-Car; Vuskovic L.; Erlic; Pašalić Marco; Moro N.; Jakic; Sucic L.; Fruk; Musa P.
Yellow Cards: Modric 59; Perišić I. 90