Portugal advanced with a 2-1 win over Croatia, sealed by Gonçalo Ramos’ stoppage-time header from Rafael Leão’s service. The result knocked Croatia out and brought Luka Modrić’s fifth World Cup campaign to an end.
Croatia had gone in front through Ivan Perišić in the 53rd minute after a Josip Šanišić cross, but Cristiano Ronaldo later levelled from the penalty spot. Ronaldo was no longer on the pitch when Ramos delivered the decisive moment for Portugal.
The closing stages turned tense when Mario Pašalić appeared to have scored a late equaliser, only for VAR to rule him offside. ESPN reported fan protests after the decision, including bottles thrown onto the field, and noted it was the 10th goal overturned by VAR at the 2026 World Cup to that point.
Beyond the result, the match carried a generational weight: Ronaldo and Modrić became the first two outfield players aged at least 40 to feature in the same World Cup match, according to the report. Portugal now move on to face Spain in the round of 16, while Croatia are left to reflect on a narrow and controversial exit.
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