
Some matches had all the ingredients to become unforgettable at the 2026 World Cup, and the match between Portugal and Croatia was one of them, as two of Europe’s strongest national teams battled for a place in the next round, with a thrilling end in which 20 minutes of extra time were played in the second half. Portugal advanced to the Round of 16 after beating Croatia 2-1 with a late goal from Gonçalo Ramos.
In the first half, Portugal were the dominant side, taking risks and creating chances mainly down the left. Neither team was precise before halftime, leaving the score level at 0-0.
A much more epic second half followed, one that did not leave a minute to breathe, with even three disallowed goals for marginal calls. Ivan Perišić was the first to score before Portugal equalized through a penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo in a play where VAR intervened to award it. With Ronaldo already replaced by Ruben Neves, Ramos connected with a great header after a Leão cross in the 93rd minute to put Portugal ahead.
The match was extended further due to added time for celebrations. In a moment that should remain in the books, Joško Gvardiol scored in the 112th before the referee was informed there was an offside due to a barely visible touch from a teammate before Mario Pasalic touched the ball, ending the match.
Full time
90+19': The referee blows the final whistle and the match ends.
Goal disallowed Mario Pašalić offside for Croatia
90+12': The VAR reviews the action and finds Mario Pašalić was offside in the build-up, so the goal is disallowed.
GOAAAAAAL Joško Gvardiol for Croatia
90+12': Ivan Perišić delivers a cross from the right side, a rebound falls inside the box and Joško Gvardiol pushes it into the net for Croatia.
Ivan Perišić booked for Croatia
90+7': Ivan Perišić receives a yellow card.
GOAAAAAL GONÇALO RAMOS FOR PORTUGAL
90+3': Rafael Leão delivers a cross from the right, and Gonçalo Ramos heads it into the net.
Nikola Vlašić substituted for Croatia
90+1': Nikola Vlašić goes off and Joško Gvardiol comes on for Croatia.
10 minutes added on
90': The referee signals 10 minutes of added time.
Mario Pašalić misses header from Sučić cross
88': A deep cross from the right by Luka Sučić reaches Mario Pašalić, who fails to connect cleanly with his header and the chance goes wide.
Renato Veiga header wide for Portugal
87': A corner from the right finds Renato Veiga, who heads the ball just wide of the goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo substituted for Portugal
81': Cristiano Ronaldo goes off and Rúben Neves comes on for Portugal.
Offside goal Luka Sučić for Croatia
80': Luka Sučić receives a through ball and finishes into the net, but the assistant referee flags for offside and the goal is disallowed.
Igor Matanović chance saved for Croatia
76': Igor Matanović receives a deep cross from the right, controls it with his chest, shifts outside to create space and shoots with his right foot, but the goalkeeper makes the save.
Great saves from the goalkeeper against Kovačić
75': Mateo Kovačić fires a long-range shot that is slightly deflected and hits the post. On the next play, he tries a volley, but the goalkeeper reacts brilliantly and pushes it away for a corner.
Match resumes
70': The game is restarted after the break.
Croatia substitution
69': Mario Pašalić comes on for Martin Baturina for Croatia.
Hydration break
67': The match is paused for a hydration break.
GOAAAAAAAAL Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal
66': Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the penalty, striking it down the middle into the net.
Penalty for Portugal after VAR review
65': The referee checks a holding incident inside the box during a corner. The VAR calls him over and he awards a penalty to Portugal.
Portugal quadruple substitution
62': Vitinha is replaced by Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto by Francisco Conceição, Bruno Fernandes by Gonçalo Ramos, and João Cancelo by Nélson Semedo.
Cristiano Ronaldo offside goal ruled out for Portugal
60': Cristiano Ronaldo controls a high pass and finishes into the net, but the assistant referee raises the flag for offside and the goal is disallowed.
Luka Modrić booked for Croatia
59': Luka Modrić receives a yellow card.
Ivan Perišić tests the goalkeeper for Croatia
58': Ivan Perišić cuts inside from the left and strikes low, but the goalkeeper saves well to keep it out.
Rafael Leão hits the crossbar for Portugal
57': Rafael Leão cuts inside from the left and shoots, but his effort crashes against the crossbar.
Disallowed goal Nikola Vlašić for Croatia
56': Croatia score through Nikola Vlašić, but the assistant referee raises the flag and the goal is ruled out for offside.
GOAAAAAAAAAAL; IVAN PERIŠIĆ FOR CROATIA
53': A deep cross from the right drops into the area, Ivan Perišić controls it, sets himself and finishes with a left-footed shot into the net to give Croatia the lead.
Nikola Vlašić’s long-range effort for Croatia
49': Nikola Vlašić strikes first time from distance after a poor chest control from Rafael Leão, but his shot goes just wide of the post.
Mateo Kovačić creates a chance for Croatia
48': Mateo Kovačić drives into the penalty area with the ball at his feet and attempts a left-footed shot while off balance, but the goalkeeper reacts well to push it away for a corner.
Second half begins
The referee blows the whistle to start the second half.
Croatia substitution
49': Igor Matanović comes on for Ante Budimir for Croatia.
First half ends
45+4': The referee blows the whistle to end the first half.
Rafael Leão's falling volley goes wide for Portugal
45+1': A long cross from the right is only partially cleared with a header, and the ball falls to Rafael Leão, who hits a falling volley that sails well wide.
Four minutes of added time
45': The fourth official indicates there will be four minutes of added time.
Portugal's short-corner routine not paying off
40': Portugal continue trying short-corner routines before delivering the cross, but the approach has not been effective.
Bruno Fernandes creates danger for Portugal
32': Bruno Fernandes whips in a dangerous cross from the left that the goalkeeper can only parry. Portugal's follow-up attempt is cleared behind for a corner by a defender.
Cristiano Ronaldo narrowly misses João Cancelo's cross for Portugal
30': João Cancelo delivers a left-footed cross from the right, and Cristiano Ronaldo comes close to turning it into the net.
Match resumes after hydration break
26': Play resumes after the hydration break.
Hydration break
23': The referee pauses the match for a hydration break.
Rúben Dias shown a yellow card for Portugal
19': Rúben Dias is shown a yellow card.
Renato Veiga heads over for Portugal
18': Renato Veiga's header from a corner goes over the crossbar.
Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick hits the wall for Portugal
12': Cristiano Ronaldo strikes the free kick powerfully, but it crashes into the wall.
Nuno Mendes wins a free kick for Portugal
11': Portugal earn a free kick in a dangerous position after a foul on Nuno Mendes.
Ante Budimir heads over for Croatia
9': A cross comes in from the right, and Ante Budimir's header goes well over the crossbar.
Pedro Neto's cross narrowly misses Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal
8': Pedro Neto cuts inside from the right and delivers a dangerous cross toward Cristiano Ronaldo, who is just unable to reach it.
João Cancelo's volley goes wide for Portugal
6': After a clearance falls to him on the edge of the box, João Cancelo strikes a volley that sails well wide of the goal.
Bruno Fernandes denied twice for Portugal
4': Rafael Leão makes a great run down the left and cuts the ball back for Bruno Fernandes, whose first-time shot toward the near post is well saved by the goalkeeper. Bruno Fernandes cannot convert the rebound either.
Ante Budimir's first-time shot saved for Croatia
3': A low cross comes in from the left, and Ante Budimir meets it first time, but his shot goes straight into the goalkeeper's hands.
Kickoff
The match Portugal vs Croatia begins.
The referees
The referees for this match are Espen Eskås (Norway, Referee), Jan Erik Engan (Norway, Assistant Referee), Isaak Bashevkin (Norway, Assistant Referee), Abongile Tom (South Africa, Fourth Official), Jarred Gillett (Australia, VAR) and Dennis Johan Higler (Netherlands, Assistant VAR).
Their next match
The winner of this match plays Spain, who beat Austria 3-0 earlier today.
Their groups
Portugal were second in Group K with five points after a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan and a 0-0 draw with Colombia, while Croatia were second in Group L after a 4-2 loss to England, a 1-0 victory over Panama and a 2-1 victory over Ghana.
Confirmed lineups
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; B Fernandes, Neves, Vitinha; Leao, Neto and Ronaldo.
Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Pongracic, Sutalo; Kovacic, Modric, Vlasic, Baturina, Sucic; Perisic and Budimir.
Croatia's list
Portugal's list
The stadium
The venue for this match is Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It has a capacity of 45,736.
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