Ramos strikes late to take Portugal past Croatia and into last-16 at World Cup

World Cup 2026

Gonçalo Ramos scored a stoppage time winner to send Portugal past Croatia into a last 16 showdown with Spain.

Issued on: 03/07/2026 - 03:51

1 min Reading time

The goal should have ended a compelling game at the Toronto Stadium but it launched a high-voltage climax in which Josko Gvardiol's equaliser was ruled out for offisde following a review by the video assistant referees.

The frenzied finale contrasted with a sedate first-half.

Following the pause, a more vigorous Croatia emerged.

And the veteran striker Ivan Perisic gave them the lead their dominance deserved.

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But they threw away that advantage 15 minutes later. Nikola Vlasic dragged Portugal defender Renato Veiga down in the penalty area as he tried to compete for the ball from a corner kick.

Referee Espen Eskas consulted the video monitors at the side of the pitch and awarded a penalty.

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Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and rammed the ball past the  goalkeeper Dominik Livaković to register his first goal in a knockout round at a World Cup.

Ramos, who will turn out for AC Milan at the start of next season after three years at Paris Saint-Germain, took the plaudits.

On Monday in Dallas, Portugal will take on Spain who swept past Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles on Thursday. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro got the other goal.

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