Gonçalo Ramos scores late to secure Portugal's 2-1 win over Croatia
ESPN • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 1:29 AM
Last updated Jul 3, 2026
Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Croatia in the World Cup on July 3, 2026. After trailing 1-0 from a goal by Ivan Perisic, Cristiano Ronaldo equalized with a penalty kick in the 68th minute. A dramatic finish saw substitute Gonçalo Ramos score in stoppage time, sending Portugal into the Round of 16. Croatia thought they leveled the match later with a disallowed goal due to offside. Portugal now prepares to face Spain in the knockout stage on July 6.
- •Portugal faces Spain next in the Round of 16 on July 6.
- •Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever knockout stage goal.
- •Gonçalo Ramos scored the winning goal in the 94th minute.
- •Croatia's late equalizer was disallowed after VAR review.
- •Portugal came back after trailing 1-0 to secure the win.
- 2:22 AMESPN — Portugal, Ronaldo survive late scare from Croatia
- 1:32 AMThe Guardian Sport — Ramos sends Portugal into last 16 as VAR drama caps wild finish against Croatia
- 1:14 AMYahoo Sports — Portugal advance in World Cup thanks to last-gasp Ramos winner
- 1:09 AMYahoo Sports — Gonçalo Ramos' 94th-minute goal gives Portugal a 2-1 win over Croatia after Croatia's late tying goal is ruled out
- 1:09 AMYahoo Sports — Gonçalo Ramos' 94th-minute goal gives Portugal a 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia after Croatia's late tying goal is ruled out
"Rafael Leão dropped to his knees. His cross had just been flicked into the net by Gonçalo Ramos to take Portugal to the last 16 of the World Cup. Leão’s expression was not one of delight, but relief. Billed as the last dance for two footballing icons, it was Luka Modrić who, at the age of 40, had to leave what will surely be his final World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, plays on, and both scored and was even substituted in a match of endless incident. But this was a contest about more than two individuals, who were far from the most influential players on show. Instead this was an old-fashioned World Cup battle between hardened teams, with momentum swinging first one way then the other then back again. Neither side was willing to give up on their dream, and Portugal were the lucky ones in the end. Continue reading...
"Substitute Goncalo Ramos's headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after a gripping contest with Croatia.It was Ronaldo's first ever goal in the knockout phase of the World Cup and his remarkable international career will have another chapter when Portugal face Spain in Dallas on Monday.
"Goncalo Ramos headed in a pass from Rafael Leao in stoppage time as Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier converted a penalty kick, watched from the bench while Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 on Thursday, ending Luka Modrić's fifth bid for a World Cup.
Sources
External links- ESPNJul 3, 2026, 2:22 AMPortugal, Ronaldo survive late scare from Croatia
Goncalo Ramos headed in a pass from Rafael Leao in stoppage time as Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier converted a penalty kick, watched from the bench while Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 on Thursday, ending Luka Modrić's fifth bid for a World Cup.
- The Guardian SportJul 3, 2026, 1:32 AMRamos sends Portugal into last 16 as VAR drama caps wild finish against Croatia
Rafael Leão dropped to his knees. His cross had just been flicked into the net by Gonçalo Ramos to take Portugal to the last 16 of the World Cup. Leão’s expression was not one of delight, but relief. Billed as the last dance for two footballing icons, it was Luka Modrić who, at the age of 40, had to leave what will surely be his final World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, plays on, and both scored and was even substituted in a match of endless incident. But this was a contest about more than two individuals, who were far from the most influential players on show. Instead this was an old-fashioned World Cup battle between hardened teams, with momentum swinging first one way then the other then back again. Neither side was willing to give up on their dream, and Portugal were the lucky ones in the end. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 1:14 AMPortugal advance in World Cup thanks to last-gasp Ramos winner
Substitute Goncalo Ramos's headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after a gripping contest with Croatia.It was Ronaldo's first ever goal in the knockout phase of the World Cup and his remarkable international career will have another chapter when Portugal face Spain in Dallas on Monday.
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 1:09 AMGonçalo Ramos' 94th-minute goal gives Portugal a 2-1 win over Croatia after Croatia's late tying goal is ruled out
Portugal scored two consecutive goals to deny Croatia the opportunity at a third straight World Cup semifinal.
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 1:09 AMGonçalo Ramos' 94th-minute goal gives Portugal a 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia after Croatia's late tying goal is ruled out
Portugal scored two consecutive goals to deny Croatia the opportunity at a third straight World Cup semifinal.
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