Portugal Squeezes Past Croatia into World Cup Round of 16 After Dramatic Late Winner

Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia, clinching a hard-fought spot in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. The match, held in Toronto, was a tense affair that saw Portugal come from behind to secure their advancement.

Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute with a goal from Ivan Perišić, putting Portugal under pressure. However, the tide turned when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th minute, leveling the score and igniting hope for his team.

The decisive moment arrived in the 90+4th minute when substitute Gonçalo Ramos netted the winning goal, sending Portugal through to the next stage of the tournament. The late strike capped off a dramatic encounter and secured Portugal's passage, while Croatia was eliminated.

Portugal will now face their next opponent in the knockout stage as they continue their World Cup campaign. The victory, though narrow, was celebrated as a testament to the team's resilience and ability to perform under pressure in a critical match.