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VAR denies Croatia's game-tying goal as Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal to Round of 16 Goncalo Ramos' 94th-minute header put Portugal ahead before a controversial VAR offside call denied Croatia a late equalizer, sending Portugal to the Round of 16 against Spain.
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Goncalo Ramos goal just minutes earlier a beautiful header into the back of the net in the 94th minute was the decider in this 2-1 victory for Portugal.
And it was only the second time in PortugueseLuka 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.It was a controversial ending, though, and one where Croatia tried to argue the ball never hit the head of Igor Matanovic, which made Pasalic offside during Its also worth noting that a new chip within the ball shows when it is touched, giving more concrete evidence to the referees final decision in such a crucial time of the match.
This was the 10th goal overruled by VAR thus far in the World Cup.So, with the goal annulled, Croatias time at the tournament has ended.
As a result, Croatian legend Luka Modric is finishing his fifth World Cup, which will likely be the 40-year-old midfielders final one.
When No.
7 stepped foot on the pitch and the ball was kicked, he became the oldest player to participate in a knockout stage match at the World Cup at 41 years and 147 days old.He also became the oldest player to score in a knockout stage match when he saw a penalty situation while Portugal was down 1-0 in the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring his teams 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.
Ivan Perisic got the first goal of this game and put Portugals back against the wall.But after a foul was committed inside Croatias box in the 67th minute, it was time for Ronaldo to get his first career knockout goal, and he didnt disappoint.
Ronaldo was ecstatic, sprinting toward the corner flag and performing his signature"SIU!" celebration, which the crowd bellowed with the score at 1-1.
Ronaldo had also seemed to get that first knockout goal just minutes earlier but he was called offside.
Modric and Ronaldo, two former teammates on Real Madrid, also made history together, as they were the first two players 40 years 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 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium on July 2, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario.
It was also an emotional moment after the match, as Ronaldo wore the jersey of late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident a year ago.A team photo was taken on the pitch, with Ronaldo holding up Jota's jersey alongside his squad.
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, awaits Portugal at Dallas Stadium on July 6 at 3 p.m.
ET.