Portugal Edge Croatia In Dramatic Thriller To Reach 2026 FIFA World Cup Round Of 16

Portugal Edge Croatia in Dramatic Thriller to Reach 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Portugal booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia in a thrilling Round of 32 encounter that saw Cristiano Ronaldo make history and Gonçalo Ramos emerge as the late hero. Croatia struck first in the 53rd minute when Ivan Perišić found the back of the net, silencing the Portuguese supporters and putting the 2018 World Cup finalists on course for another famous knockout victory. Portugal, however, refused to surrender and piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser. The breakthrough came in the 68th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo calmly converted a penalty after a VAR review awarded Portugal a spot-kick. The goal marked the 41-year-old captain’s first-ever strike in a FIFA World Cup knockout match, adding another milestone to his illustrious international career. With extra time looming, Portugal completed the comeback in stoppage time as substitute Gonçalo Ramos headed home Rafael Leão’s cross to make it 2-1. Croatia thought they had forced extra time moments later, but a dramatic VAR review ruled out their late equaliser for offside, sparking protests from the Croatian players and supporters. The victory sends Portugal into the Round of 16, where they will face Spain in an eagerly anticipated Iberian derby. The match also marked what could be Luka Modrić’s final FIFA World Cup appearance, ending another memorable chapter for Croatia on the global stage.