Toronto, 03 July (H.S.): Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia to book their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a historic equaliser and Gonçalo Ramos netting a stoppage-time winner. Croatia thought they had forced extra time at the death, but a VAR review ruled out their late equaliser for offside.

Croatia broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when veteran winger Ivan Perišić produced a clinical finish past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Moments later, Ronaldo found the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Portugal were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute after Renato Veiga was brought down inside the box by Nikola Vlašić. Following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot, and Ronaldo calmly converted the penalty to make it 1-1. The goal marked the 41-year-old's first-ever strike in the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup, making him the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match.

Both teams continued to create chances in an end-to-end contest. Croatia came close to regaining the lead when Mateo Kovačić's powerful effort was brilliantly pushed onto the post by Diogo Costa, while Mario Pašalić narrowly missed the target with a header.

As the match appeared destined for extra time, Rafael Leão delivered an inviting cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and substitute Gonçalo Ramos powered home a decisive header to hand Portugal a 2-1 advantage.

The drama continued in the closing moments when Joško Gvardiol appeared to equalise for Croatia. However, following another VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving Croatian players and supporters frustrated as Portugal celebrated a hard-fought victory.

With the win, Portugal advanced to the Round of 16, where they will face Spain in Dallas on July 7.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar