Portugal v Croatia FIFA World Cup result: Ramos and Ronaldo score as Portugal complete dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Croatia to progress to R16

Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos (9) is congratulated by Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring a goal during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Portugal and Croatia (AP Photo) Injury substitute Goncalo Ramos’ dramatic header led Portugal to a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Croatia at Toronto Stadium on Friday. The high-octane win sealed Portugal’s place in the round of 16, setting up an Iberian derby clash against neighbors Spain on Monday.The high-stakes encounter ended in great controversy. Trailing 2-1, Croatia thought they had forced extra time on the final kick-off of the match. However, after a long review, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened and ruled Mario Pasalić offside. The decision sparked furious protests from Croatian fans who threw bottles onto the pitch and booed loudly.Earlier, Croatia broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when defender Josip Stanišić’s accurate cross from the right wing allowed veteran Ivan Perišić to slot past Portugal custodian Diogo Costa. After the goal, Portugal’s World Cup dreams appeared to be in serious jeopardy.However, the 2016 European champions defended tenaciously and earned a crucial penalty. The Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo came through in the 68th minute and coolly equalized from the spot to make it 1:1. With this clinical strike, the 41-year-old maestro made history by becoming the oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. Remarkably, it also marked Ronaldo’s first ever goal in the knockout stages of the tournament.Portuguese manager Roberto Martínez felt the need for fresh energy and took a bold tactical risk when he substituted Ronaldo in the 82nd minute. The move paid off in the 94th minute when winger Rafael Leão drifted a beautiful cross into the box. The alert Ramos anticipated the serve perfectly as he beat Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković with a powerful downward header to seal the win.Defeat marks a heartbreaking end to Luka Modrić’s iconic international career. The 40-year-old midfield maestro, who famously guided his country to second place in 2018 and third in 2022, failed to pull off one final wonder in his fifth and final World Cup campaign. Portugal now take on a formidable Spain side in what promises to be a thrilling pre-quarter-final clash.