Portugal vs Croatia Result: Ronaldo Breaks His Curse as Ramos Sinks Croatia in Toronto Chaos
The Portugal vs Croatia result will be remembered as one of the great nights of this World Cup. Portugal came from behind to win 2-1 in a breathless, controversial thriller in Toronto, and the story everyone wanted finally came true: Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first ever goal in a World Cup knockout game. Then, deep into stoppage time, Goncalo Ramos broke Croatian hearts, before a VAR call in the dying seconds turned the drama up to unbearable.
If you missed it, take a breath. Here is how the madness unfolded.
The story of the game
| Result | Portugal 2-1 Croatia (Round of 32) |
| Goals | Perisic 53′ (CRO); Ronaldo 68′ pen, Ramos 90+4′ (POR) |
| Venue | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Next | Portugal face Spain in the Round of 16 (July 6, Arlington) |
Croatia struck first. In the 53rd minute, a cross from Josip Stanisic found Ivan Perisic on the left, and the veteran swept it home with his left foot to silence a huge Portuguese following. For a while, with Luka Modric pulling the strings, Croatia looked in control.
Ronaldo ends the wait
Then came the moment eight tournaments in the making. Portugal won a penalty after a VAR review for a foul on Renato Veiga at a corner, and up stepped Cristiano Ronaldo. He had never scored in a World Cup knockout match, not once in eight previous attempts across a glittering career. This time, on what is very likely his final World Cup, he made no mistake, burying the spot kick to level the game in the 68th minute and send the stadium into raptures. The goal also lifted him into the all-time top 10 World Cup scorers.
We wrote before kickoff about how this haunting stat hung over him. If you want the full backstory of the duel between the two ageing legends, read our Ronaldo and Modric feature. Ronaldo was later given a rousing ovation when he was replaced late on, a moment that felt like a goodbye.
Ramos the stoppage-time hero
With extra time looming, Portugal found a hero from the bench. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Rafael Leao burst clear and delivered a stunning cross, and Goncalo Ramos rose above two Croatia defenders to head Portugal in front. It was a brutal blow for Croatia, who had grown into the game and looked the more likely side to nick it.
The Portuguese, who played with wristbands honouring Diogo Jota, sensed their place in the last 16 was won. But this game had one more twist.
Croatia’s VAR heartbreak
Deep into a chaotic finish that stretched well beyond ten minutes of added time, Croatia thought they had saved themselves. A ball was volleyed goalwards and bounced into the net off Josko Gvardiol, and the Croatian end erupted. Then the screens flashed. After a long VAR check, the goal was ruled out for offside earlier in the move, the faintest of touches from a Portugal defender leaving a Croatia player marginally offside. It was the third goal wiped off the board for offside on the night.
Croatia were furious, and objects rained onto the pitch from the stands as the anger boiled over. For Modric, at 40, it looked like the final act of a magnificent World Cup story, a cruel way for one of the game’s greatest to bow out.
What the Portugal vs Croatia result means
Portugal march on, and the reward is a heavyweight Round of 16 tie with Spain, who cruised past Austria 3-0 earlier in the day. It sets up a mouthwatering clash on July 6 in Arlington. See the full knockout picture on our World Cup 2026 bracket and every last-16 tie on our Round of 16 guide. You can also track Ronaldo’s climb up the scoring charts on our Golden Boot race, and revisit the day’s other results on the Round of 32 page. Official match data is on FIFA’s site.
Nights like this are why we love the World Cup. Ronaldo got his moment at last, Ramos grabbed the glory, and Croatia were left to rue the finest of margins.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Portugal vs Croatia result? Portugal won 2-1. Perisic put Croatia ahead, Ronaldo equalised with a penalty, and Goncalo Ramos headed the winner in stoppage time.
Did Ronaldo score against Croatia? Yes. Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th minute, his first ever goal in a World Cup knockout match and enough to take him into the all-time top 10 World Cup scorers.
Why was Croatia’s late goal disallowed? A VAR review found a Croatia player was marginally offside earlier in the move after a slight touch by a Portugal defender, so the stoppage-time equaliser was ruled out.
Who do Portugal play next? Portugal face Spain in the Round of 16 on July 6 in Arlington, after Spain beat Austria 3-0.
Related Football coverage
Football news and guides
Browse competition coverage, club stories and the Football article directory.
FIFA World Cup 2026 guide
Start with the tournament format, then follow the standings, scorers and knockout references.
