Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a World Cup round of 32 match in Toronto, securing passage to the last 16 where they will face Spain. The victory came after a dramatic finish in which Croatia appeared to equalize in stoppage time, only to have the goal ruled out following a VAR review.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored to level the match for Portugal after Croatia had taken an early lead. The veteran forward, competing in what may be his final World Cup, was also substituted during the match after scoring his first World Cup knockout stage goal. Goncalo Ramos added a second goal for Portugal in what multiple sources described as a chaotic second half.
The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol put the ball in the net for what appeared to be a dramatic equalizer. However, after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside, ending Croatia's tournament. The decision prolonged Ronaldo's participation in the competition while simultaneously ending the World Cup career of Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, who at age 40 was playing in his final tournament.
The match featured an unprecedented level of VAR drama. For the first time in World Cup history, a total of four goals were disallowed during a single match. Beyond Gvardiol's denied equalizer, Ronaldo had an earlier goal ruled out for offside, adding to the controversy surrounding the official review system throughout the contest.
Following the match, the Portuguese team paid tribute to Diogo Jota, one year after his death. The team has been using Jota's memory as inspiration during their 2026 World Cup campaign. Coach Roberto Martinez stated after qualification that the team was driven by the desire to fulfill Jota's dream, describing him as their strength and joy.
The round of 16 matchup between Portugal and Spain will be an Iberian derby, pitting the two neighboring nations against each other in the knockout rounds. Portugal advanced from a match that featured multiple VAR interventions, including the review of Ronaldo's disallowed goal and the critical late decision that preserved their lead.
The victory capped an unusual contest that observers noted was more than just a farewell for two legendary players. While Ronaldo and Modric were prominent figures, neither dominated the match, despite Ronaldo being named player of the match. The encounter was described as an old-fashioned World Cup battle between hardened teams, with momentum shifting back and forth throughout the contest before Portugal ultimately secured their spot in the knockout rounds.