Ramos's stoppage-time stunner sends Portugal past Croatia into World Cup last 16

Portugal staged a stunning late comeback to defeat Croatia 2-1 in a tense World Cup Round of 32 match, with striker Gonçalo Ramos emerging as the hero.

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In the last minutes, when a goal is needed, I'm there. It's not the first, second, or third time. Whenever you need a goal in the final minutes, you can call Gonçalo Ramos.

Croatia had seized the advantage in the 53rd minute when Ivan Perišić found the back of the net. However, Portugal responded with resilience. Cristiano Ronaldo leveled the score from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Substitute Gonçalo Ramos, who entered the game in the 63rd minute, sealed Portugal's victory with a goal in the 90+4th minute. "In the last minutes, when a goal is needed, I'm there," Ramos, 25, celebrated after the match. "It's not the first, second, or third time. Whenever you need a goal in the final minutes, you can call Gonçalo Ramos."

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The team is growing in the competition. We showed our strength. We always go for the win and believe until the end, because we are never dead.

Coach Roberto Martínez lauded his team's "personality" and fighting spirit. "We suffered a goal and continued, we were there. It's a very special team," he said. "The true World Cup began today, and the focus was to play with intensity, play with pride, play with heart and represent the Portugal jersey."

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The message is that we were all ready.

Portugal's dramatic win sets up a highly anticipated Round of 16 clash against Spain. The team now faces a quick turnaround to prepare for that match, with Martínez emphasizing the need for recovery.

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We had personality. We suffered a goal and continued, we were there. It's a very special team.