Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in a chaotic Round of 32 clash at BMO Field in Toronto on July 2, 2026, thanks to a 94th‑minute header from substitute Gonçalo Ramos that sealed a dramatic comeback after Cristiano Ronaldo had levelled from the spot earlier in the second half; Croatia thought they had snatched a late equaliser but Josko Gvardiol’s goal was ruled out by VAR after a lengthy review. (sports.yahoo.com)
Croatia took the lead early in the second half when Ivan Perišić slid a low finish under Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 53rd minute. Portugal fought back and were awarded a penalty when Renato Veiga was felled in the box; Ronaldo converted from the spot in the 68th minute to bring the game level. Ramos, brought on as a super‑sub, met Rafael Leão’s late cross to head home in stoppage time and send Portugal through. (squawka.com)
The finish provoked wild scenes as Croatia appeared to have equalised in the 103rd minute, only for VAR to intervene and chalk the strike off for offside after a prolonged review. The overturned goal left the Croatian players and travelling fans stunned while Portugal celebrated a dramatic escape. (ca.sports.yahoo.com)
Ronaldo’s penalty carried extra significance: it was his first goal in a World Cup knockout match and, at 41, made him one of the oldest players to score at this stage of the tournament. The goal also added to his tournament tally and reinforced his long‑running place in World Cup history. Portugal’s win sets up a last‑16 meeting with Spain. (indianexpress.com)
The match underlined Portugal’s resilience and raised fresh questions for Croatia after they dominated phases but failed to convert late pressure into a result. The VAR decision will dominate post‑match debate as much as Ramos’s stoppage‑time heroics, leaving both sides with clear talking points as the World Cup moves into the knockout rounds. (washingtonpost.com)
Original Source: https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/49251703/portugal-croatia-live-world-cup-2026-latest-updates-commentary-score-result
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Publish Date: 2026-07-03 06:25:00
