Ronaldo’s Portugal outlast Modric’s Croatia with 2-1 win
Portugal came from behind to edge Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup Round-of-32 clash in Toronto and set up a blockbuster last-16 meeting with Spain. Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 53rd minute after controlling Josip Stanisic’s cross before firing through Diogo Costa’s legs. Croatia threatened to double their lead but were twice denied by the offside flag. Portugal responded through Cristiano Ronaldo, who converted a penalty in the 68th minute after a VAR review spotted Nikola Vlasic’s foul on
Renato Veiga.
As extra time beckoned, substitute Gonçalo Ramos rose highest to meet Rafael Leão’s cross and head home a stoppage-time winner. Croatia thought they had forced extra time when JoskoGvardiol found the net deep into added time, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside, ending Luka Modric’s World Cup journey and sending Portugal through.
