Ronaldo scores as Portugal comeback to win but Croatia denied by late VAR

Cristiano Ronaldo pulls Portugal level before Goncalo Ramos wins it late on, and Croatia have further goal ruled offside.Substitute Goncalo Ramos’s headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a gripping 2-1 win against Croatia.Ramos connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time on Thursday to snuff out a Croatia team that had created the lion’s share of the chances in sapping evening heat in Toronto.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Man City sign Elliot Anderson from Forest in record British transferlist 2 of 4‘Still the GOAT’: Ronaldo-fever hits Toronto before Portugal vs Croatialist 3 of 4Maradona to Messi: Why Bangladesh loves Argentina’s footballerslist 4 of 4‘We can relate’: Bosnia fans bring passion, Palestine support, to World Cupend of listIn a dramatic ending, Croatia thought they had equalised in the dying seconds, but Josko Gvardiol’s goal was chalked off for offside.The Croatians were left stunned by the decision, while Portugal’s players celebrated.Cristiano Ronaldo played his role in the victory, stroking home a penalty that cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s opener.It was Ronaldo’s first-ever goal in the knockout phase of the World Cup, and his remarkable international career will have another chapter when Portugal face Spain in Dallas on Monday.Perisic had stunned the Portuguese by slotting the ball under the advancing Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 53rd minute.Within minutes, Ronaldo had the ball in the net after controlling a long pass, but his effort was disallowed for offside.But Portugal got level when Renato Veiga was grabbed by Croatia’s Nikola Vlasic in the penalty area, and after a VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot.Ronaldo stepped up to convert the penalty with ease, hitting the ball straight down the middle of the goal and pumping his fists with joy afterwards.In a pulsating game, Manchester City forward Mateo Kovacic’s low shot was pushed onto a post by goalkeeper Costa’s fingertips.