2026 World Cup: Goncalo Ramos strikes in stoppage time as Portugal knock out Croatia and set up Spain showdown
A classic in Toronto. On Thursday night, Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the round of 32 after a breathless finish, with Goncalo Ramos heading home in the 90th+3 minute from a Rafael Leao cross that bent in from the flank. Roberto Martinez’s side will face Spain in the round of 16 on July 6 at 21 hours. It was a shaky start for the Seleçao, who dominated the first half without finding a breakthrough despite the nonstop running of Leao, Neto, Cancelo and Nuno Mendes out wide. Livakovic denied Bruno Fernandez twice.
The introduction of Igor Matanovic at the break changed the balance. Croatia began to impose themselves, and the opener came from a full-back combination: Stanisic picked out Ivan Perisic, who finished with real composure (53rd, 0-1). Portugal hit back, with Leao smashing a long-range effort against the bar before Renato Veiga was brought down in the box. A clear penalty after VAR, calmly buried by Cristiano Ronaldo (68th, 1-1), who had looked tense in the first half but never looked like giving in. Toronto erupted and the ‘Suuu’ celebration rolled around the stadium for several seconds. Diego Costa then produced a huge performance to keep out Croatia’s pressure from Kovacic, Sucic and Matanovic.
Gvardiol thought he had snatched it at the death (90th+13), but VAR ruled the goal out for a marginal offside on Pasalic. Croatia exit in chaos, while Luka Modric bows out from international football after a quiet night, despite finishing runner-up in 2018 and third in 2022. One of the game’s all-time greats has now closed the book. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, wore Diogo Jota’s shirt during the lap of honour in a touching tribute to his teammate, who died tragically exactly a year ago.
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Evergreen CR7, Ramos the hero, Portugal march on to Spain clash
Cristiano Ronaldo lives on. Nervy and subdued in the first half, he stepped up when his team needed him, calmly converting a penalty before making way for Ruben Neves in the 81st minute, a rare sight in this World Cup. His 146th goal for Portugal, scored with the calm of a man who never seems to doubt himself, will be the defining image of this round-of-32 tie. His sister had said earlier in the day that he would call time on his international career after this World Cup. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner wasn’t ready to make that decision just yet, but the goodbye is getting closer.
In the end, Goncalo Ramos was the man who saved them. Sent on after the hour, the striker rose brilliantly between the Croatian defenders to send Portugal into the next round. Spain await next, the reigning world champions, on July 6. An Iberian showdown that already looks like one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. Portugal go into it with the momentum of a side that knows how to suffer and nick it at the death.
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Photo by Cole Burston / AFP
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