Portugal booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Gonçalo Ramos came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Croatia at Toronto Stadium.
Ramos headed home Rafael Leão’s cross in the fourth minute of added time to complete Portugal’s comeback after Cristiano Ronaldo had cancelled out Ivan Perišić’s second-half opener.
The victory sends Roberto Martínez’s side into a last-16 clash against neighbours Spain on Monday, while Croatia’s campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion after a late equaliser was ruled out following a VAR review.
Portugal dominated possession from the opening whistle and nearly took the lead inside four minutes, but Dominik Livaković produced a brilliant save to deny Bruno Fernandes at the end of a swift counterattack.
Ronaldo later fired a free-kick into the wall, while Renato Veiga headed wide from a promising position as Portugal continued to create chances without finding the breakthrough.
Despite controlling the first half and forcing Croatia onto the back foot for long spells, Portugal went into the break level after Rafael Leão blazed over in stoppage time.
Portugal resumed on the front foot after the restart, but it was Croatia who struck first in the 53rd minute.
Perišić arrived unmarked at the far post to fire beyond Diogo Costa and become Croatia’s highest-scoring player in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing Davor Šuker.
Croatia threatened to double their advantage soon afterwards, with Costa producing an important save to deny Petar Sučić before an offside flag prevented another setback for Portugal.
Leão rattled the crossbar at the other end, while Ronaldo also had an effort ruled out for offside during an action-packed spell.
Martínez responded with four substitutions on the hour mark, a move that changed the momentum.
Portugal drew level in the 68th minute after Nikola Vlašić fouled Veiga inside the penalty area.
Ronaldo calmly converted from the spot, sending Livaković the wrong way to score his first-ever World Cup knockout-stage goal.
Croatia remained dangerous, with Mateo Kovačić striking the post before Sučić had another effort ruled out.
Martínez then made another bold call in the 81st minute by replacing Ronaldo, a decision that drew boos from sections of the crowd.
The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Leão delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area and Ramos rose highest to guide a header beyond Livaković.
Croatia believed they had forced extra time when Joško Gvardiol found the net in the closing moments, but a lengthy VAR review ruled the goal out after Mario Pašalić was judged to be offside in the build-up.
The decision confirmed Portugal’s progress and preserved their impressive competitive record against Croatia, setting up a heavyweight Iberian showdown with Spain in the Round of 16.
