NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Croatia thought their FIFA World Cup hopes were still alive when they scored the game’s equalizer just before the end of second-half stoppage time.
But a VAR review said Mario Pasalic was offside and it was Portugal who went on instead.
Gonçalo Ramos’ goal just minutes earlier – a beautiful header into the net in the 94th minute – was decisive in this 2-1 victory for Portugal. And it was only the second time in Portugal’s World Cup history that the nation had to come from behind to win, underscoring its resilience on the sport’s biggest stage.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Luka Modric of Croatia and teammates react after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Patrick Smith – FIFA)
It was a controversial finish though, with Croatia trying to claim the ball never hit Igor Matanovic’s head, ruling Pasalic offside during the VAR review.
It is also worth noting that a new chip inside the ball is revealed when it is touched, providing more concrete evidence of the referee’s final decision at such a crucial time of the match. This was the 10th goal disallowed by VAR in the World Cup so far.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI’S GOAL SAVED BRAZIL FROM JAPAN IN 96TH MINUTE GOAL IN 32ND AFG.
So with the goal disallowed, Croatia’s time at the tournament is over. As a result, Croatian legend Luka Modrić is closing in on his fifth World Cup, likely to be the 40-year-old midfielder’s last.
But another older legend on the field will move on as Cristiano Ronaldo made some World Cup history during this match.
When the No.7 stepped foot on the pitch and the ball was kicked, he became the oldest player to take part in a knockout stage match at the World Cup at 41 years and 147 days. He also became the oldest player to score in a knockout match when he saw off a penalty shootout while Portugal were 1–0 down in the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Patrick Smith – FIFA)
Ivan Perisic got the first goal of this match and put Portugal’s back against the wall. But after a mistake was made inside Croatia’s box in the 67th minute, it was time for Ronaldo to get his first career knockout goal and he did not disappoint.
Ronaldo was ecstatic, sprinting towards the corner flag and performing his signature “SIU!” celebration that the crowd roared with the score at 1-1. Ronaldo had also looked set to get the first knockout goal minutes earlier, but he was called offside.
Modrić and Ronaldo, two former teammates at Real Madrid, also made history together, becoming the first two players aged 40 or older to play in the same match together.
Luka Modric of Croatia congratulates Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal after the 2-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
It was also an emotional moment after the match as Ronaldo wore the shirt of late Portuguese teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash a year ago. A team photo was taken on the field, with Ronaldo holding up Jota’s shirt next to his team.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Now that the job is done in the Round of 32 for Portugal, they face a big challenge against a key rival in the Round of 16.
Spain, who dominated Austria with a 3-0 finish earlier on Thursday, await Portugal at the Dallas Stadium on July 6 at 8 p.m. 15 A.M.
