Portugal Edge Croatia in World Cup Thriller to Set Up Spain Showdown

Posted : 03 July 2026

Portugal secured a dramatic place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup last 16 after fighting back to defeat Croatia 2-1 in a thrilling round-of-32 encounter in Toronto. Gonçalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner before Croatia were denied an equaliser moments later when Josko Gvardiol's goal was ruled out for offside following a lengthy VAR review.

Croatia struck first early in the second half when Ivan Perišić found the net in the 53rd minute, putting the 2018 World Cup finalists on course for a famous victory. Portugal responded in the 68th minute after Cristiano Ronaldo calmly converted a penalty to level the score, with the 41-year-old becoming the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match. It was also Ronaldo's first-ever goal in the knockout stages of the tournament.

As extra time approached, substitute Gonçalo Ramos produced the decisive moment by glancing home a superb header deep into stoppage time to send the Portuguese players and supporters into celebration. Croatia thought they had rescued the match moments later when Gvardiol bundled the ball into the net, but VAR intervened to rule the goal out for offside, ending Croatia's World Cup campaign in heartbreaking fashion.

Following the final whistle, Ronaldo paid an emotional tribute to his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota by holding up and wearing a Portugal shirt bearing the No. 21. Speaking after the match, the captain described the anniversary of Jota's passing as an unbelievable coincidence and admitted the victory carried even greater emotional significance because of the occasion.

Portugal's victory sets up a highly anticipated last-16 meeting with European champions Spain in Dallas on Monday. The winners of that encounter will progress to the quarter-finals, where either Belgium or the United States await.

Earlier in the day, Spain underlined their status as one of the tournament favourites with an impressive 3-0 victory over Austria in Los Angeles. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro added a header as Luis de la Fuente's side produced one of their most complete performances of the competition.

Spain controlled possession throughout the contest and rarely allowed Austria an opportunity to threaten. Oyarzabal opened the scoring before Porro doubled the lead with a well-placed header, and the Real Sociedad forward completed his brace with a composed finish after excellent work from Marc Cucurella.

Head coach Luis de la Fuente praised his team's display but insisted there is still room for improvement as the knockout stage becomes increasingly demanding. The Spanish manager said his squad remains ambitious and believes it has not yet reached its full potential despite another convincing victory.

With Portugal and Spain both advancing, football fans can now look forward to one of the standout fixtures of the World Cup knockout rounds as two Iberian rivals battle for a place in the quarter-finals.

Portugal Edge Croatia in World Cup Thriller to Set Up Spain Showdown

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