In a thrilling encounter at Toronto Stadium, Portugal edged past Croatia with a 2-1 victory, securing their place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The match, held on July 2, saw Cristiano Ronaldo score his first-ever knockout stage goal in World Cup history, while Goncalo Ramos netted a dramatic late winner.

Ronaldo's Historic Goal

Ronaldo, at 41 years old, made history by becoming the oldest player to score in the knockout stage of a World Cup. He equalized for Portugal in the 68th minute with a penalty, bringing the score to 1-1 in a match that was filled with tension and excitement. His goal was particularly significant as it marked his first in a knockout game at the World Cup.

Late Drama and Ramos' Heroics

As the match approached its conclusion, Croatia appeared to have found a late equalizer, which would have left Ronaldo visibly disappointed on the bench. However, the goal was disallowed for offside following a review by the video assistant referee. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, substitute Goncalo Ramos rose above the Croatian defense to head in the winning goal, sealing Portugal's victory.

With this win, Portugal now advances to face Spain in the next round, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting match in the tournament.