FIFA World Cup
Portugal 2 – 1 Croatia FT
Goncalo Ramos grabbed the winner in the 94th minute after Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup as Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia and progress to the Last 16.
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Second-half substitute Ramos rose above two Croatian players to head home Rafael Leao’s superb ball as the tense game looked set to go into extra time.
Josko Gvardiol thought he had saved Croatia when he tied the game at home in the 13th minute, but the video assistant referee intervened and the goal was ruled out for offside.
Replays showed that Igor Matanovic got a slight touch on the ball that fell to Mario Pasalic who was offside before Guardiol scored.
Portugal won the first half, but it was Croatia who turned it around in a tense second half.
Ivan Perisic fired home from a corner eight minutes into the second half after Ruben Dias had managed to put away a back ball.
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Half-time Matanovic thought he had doubled Croatia’s lead two minutes later after blocking the ball, but the offside flag went up against team-mate Nikola Vlasic.
A frantic few minutes followed as Leao hit the crossbar with a curling shot and Ronaldo saw a good finish ruled out for a slight offside.
But just when it looked like he was about to be substituted, Ronaldo converted from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee spotted a foul on Renato Veiga in the corner.
Croatia responded well – and after a hydration break, Mateo Kovacic forced Diogo Costa into two quick saves before Matanovic was fouled one-on-one.
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Petar Sucic then ran onto Kovacic through the ball and coolly finished past Costa, but the offside flag went up again.
Ronaldo looked unhappy to be substituted in the 81st minute, before Veiga and Mario Pasalic missed clear headers at either end.
Extra time appeared to be the right way to settle the contest before Ramos started his wild celebrations.
In the last 16, Portugal will face European champions Spain at Dallas Stadium, Texas, on Monday, 6 July (20:00 BST).
Analysis: One legend had to lose in the championship game
It is hard to imagine that there will be another game in this World Cup with as many points as this one.
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This was always going to be a World Cup farewell game for one legendary player, and despite his impressive midfield performance at the age of 40, that player turned out to be Luka Modric.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic produced a masterstroke at the break when he substituted Matanovic for the ineffective Ante Budimir, as the striker provided the point that led to Perisic’s goal.
But it was Portugal manager Roberto Martinez who was rewarded for making changes when it became clear things weren’t working.
Although Portugal were the better team in the first half, it was clear that their attackers were always looking to get the ball to Ronaldo, even if there were better options.
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The introduction of Ramos left Ronaldo alone, and things got better when the 41-year-old was withdrawn against his wishes.
Ronaldo appeared unhappy to be withdrawn on the day he became the oldest player to start a World Cup qualifier, but he was front and center in the celebrations as Portugal’s players poured onto the pitch to celebrate Ramos’ winner.
While the incessant VAR intervention will be the big story in the coming days, it should not overshadow Portugal’s post-match celebrations.
Hours before the anniversary of the death of former Portugal striker, Diogo Jota, Ronaldo pulled on the jersey of his former team-mate and, with tears in his eyes, led them to their adoring fans.
