Portugal Edge Croatia as Goncalo Ramos Delivers Late World Cup Winner

TORONTO, Canada: Portugal secured their place in the World Cup round of 16 on Thursday night, beating Croatia 2-1 after Goncalo Ramos rose in stoppage time to score the decisive goal in a match packed with late drama.

The contest also put two long-serving greats side by side again, with Cristiano Ronaldo playing in his sixth World Cup for Portugal and Luka Modric chasing the trophy for a fifth time with Croatia.

Croatia struck first in the 53rd minute when Ivan Perisic finished from a ball sent in by Josip Sanisic, giving his side the breakthrough after a tense opening stretch.

Portugal pulled level in the 68th minute after Nikola Vlasic was penalised for holding inside the penalty area. Ronaldo, who was loudly booed by Croatia supporters whenever he got on the ball, used his trademark pause in the run-up and sent the penalty straight down the middle while the goalkeeper moved to his right. The goal was his first ever in a World Cup knockout game. He later came off in the 81st minute.

Ramos then settled matters at the death, putting Portugal through to a last-16 meeting with Spain on Monday. Ronaldo said his team had the better of the first half and looked stronger after getting back on level terms. “First half we dominated the game. In second half after the goal we get a little bit panic, but this is football,” Ronaldo said. “After the penalty, I think it was a little bit better for us. We created a few chances and I think at the end of the day we deserved to win the match.”

There was still one more twist before the end. Croatia thought they had rescued a 2-2 draw in the closing seconds, but Mario Pasalic was judged offside and VAR confirmed the goal would not stand. Croatia fans reacted angrily, throwing bottles onto the field and whistling in protest.

The occasion carried extra meaning because both Modric, 40, and Ronaldo, 41, are still trying to win the World Cup before the end of their careers. Former teammates at Real Madrid, they shared smiles and an embrace before the coin toss, then hugged again and exchanged a few words after the final whistle. “I played with Luca so many years,” Ronaldo said. “We’re nearly the same age. I think he’s a legend of football. He’s still a legend of football.”