Portugal booked a mouthwatering FIFA World Cup Round of 16 showdown with Spain after Goncalo Ramos struck deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia in Toronto.
Ramos emerged as the hero in the fourth minute of added time, rising highest to head home Rafael Leao’s inviting cross and complete Portugal’s fightback after Cristiano Ronaldo had cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s second-half opener.
The victory also saw Ronaldo end a long wait for his first goal in the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup, converting a penalty for his 11th goal in the tournament’s history.
Croatia had looked on course for a famous win after taking the lead eight minutes into the second half. Nikola Vlasic and Josip Stanisic combined down the right before the latter delivered a cross to the far post where Perisic finished confidently.
Portugal had created the better chances before the break but failed to make them count.
Rafael Leao burst behind the Croatian defence in the opening minutes before cutting the ball back for Bruno Fernandes, whose effort was saved by Dominik Livakovic before Josip Sutalo blocked the rebound.
Pedro Neto also caused constant problems down the right. One dangerous delivery narrowly evaded Ronaldo inside the six-yard box before another cross eventually reached Leao, who volleyed over the crossbar.
Croatia nearly doubled their advantage shortly after scoring when Igor Matanovic turned Nikola Vlasic’s cross into the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
That let-off sparked Portugal into life.
Leao soon rattled the crossbar after cutting inside while Ronaldo thought he had equalised with a delicate finish, only to see the assistant referee’s flag deny him.
Portugal’s breakthrough finally arrived in the 68th minute.
Following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot after Vlasic brought down Renato Veiga during a corner. Ronaldo stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to bring his side level.
The match continued to swing from end to end.
Mateo Kovacic twice forced Diogo Costa into impressive saves, including one that pushed his powerful strike onto the post. Petar Sucic also found the net with 10 minutes remaining but Croatia’s celebrations were cut short by another offside flag.
Portugal then delivered the decisive blow in stoppage time.
Leao produced another dangerous cross from the left and Ramos met it with a towering header to send the Portugal bench into wild celebrations.
Croatia thought they had forced extra time moments later when Josko Gvardiol tapped home after Mario Pasalic squared the ball across goal. However, VAR ruled Pasalic had been offside in the build-up, preserving Portugal’s dramatic victory.
Portugal will now face Spain in Dallas on July 6 after the European champions comfortably dispatched Austria 3-0 earlier in the day.
Ronaldo was named the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match after scoring the equaliser that helped turn the contest in Portugal’s favour. His penalty also marked his first ever goal in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup.
