Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup dreams were kept alive in controversial fashion as he helped his Portugal side fight back from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 and set up a mouth-watering last 16 tie with Spain.
VAR denied Josko Gvardiol the chance to be Croatia's hero despite Manchester City finding the back of the net. The second-half substitute tapped home to make it 2-2 as regulation time spilt into the 113th minute.
The goal was chalked off after it was deemed Igor Matanovic got a touch on Ivan Perisic's cross, making Mario Pasalic, the assister, offside despite the ball reflecting off Portugal's Renato Veiga. Following a recommendation by Premier League referee Jarred Gillet for an on-field check, on-pitch official Espen Eskaas decided to rule out the goal.
What was essentially the last kick of the game capped off a whirlwind second half that had seen Croatia take the lead through Ivan Perisic. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been rumoured before the game to be preparing to retire from international duty in the event of a defeat, levelled the score from the penalty spot. That goal being the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's first-ever in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Though the 41-year-old was then later subbed off by Roberto Martinez with the game still finely poised, much to his disappointment, Ronaldo could watch on in glee as Goncalo Ramos glanced home a sumptuous Rafael Leao cross in added time.
While there was delight for one veteran in Ronaldo, the opposite was true for Croatia captain Luka Modric, with the 40-year-old likely playing in his last World Cup. Portugal now look forward to a replay of the 2025 Nations League final, where Ronaldo's side were triumphant against the European Champions, Spain.
More to follow...
The key moments from Toronto...
4: SHOT! Portugal's only effort of the first half comes four minutes in as Livakovic denies Fernandes early on.
53: GOAL! Perisic fires in the opening goal after a strong start to the second half.
57: OFFSIDE, NO GOAL! Vlasic pokes the ball in, but the linesman's flag is raised immediately. Stanisic was just offside as he was played in down the right.
58: OFF THE BAR!! Leao cuts in and rattles the bar with a HOWITZER! So close.
61: RONALDO DENIED AN EQUALISER! Ronaldo scores but the linesman's flag cuts short the celebrations. VAR checks but the decision stands.
63: SUBS! FOUR changes are made by Roberto Martinez. Fernandes, Neto, Vitinha and Cancelo are all hooked off as Semedo, Silva, Conceicao and Ramos are introduced.
66: PENALTY TO PORTUGAL! After review, a penalty is given after Veiga is pulled down in the area by Vlasic.
68: GOAL! Ronaldo calmly slots away his first knockout goal at a World Cup.
75: KOVACIC HITS THE POST! Wow. Costa gets down to a Kovacic shot from the edge of the area to turn it onto the post. It quickly comes back to Kovacic to strike again but Costa keeps it out again.
80: OFFSIDE, NO GOAL! Sucic is the latest player to be denied an equaliser by the offside flag.
82: RONALDO SUBBED OFF! Ruben Neves is introduced in his place.
90: 10 minutes are added on.
90+4: GOAL! Ramos glances home a Leao cross to put Portugal in front.
90+14: GOAL! Gvardiol scores off the bench to take the game into extra time.
90+16: DISALLOWED! Gvardiol's goal is disallowed for an offside after a VAR check.
AFerCYQJ4148
0
Penalty …..
Vedacdnouz
0
why they disallowed Croatia goal that's not an offside goal, hmmm 🤔
fakeilptz
0
Ronaldo is washed. And he's defo going out against Spain
Tomckmtyz
2
all this useless people that fully here talking about Ronaldo can never said a ward about naymer you know why because when you are the best you attract all the attention
Neymar isn't starting games that is the difference
Nnoruka
0
Literally the passenger in the first half. The penalty was good. but he'll be more efficient and effective as a sub.
all this useless people that fully here talking about Ronaldo can never said a ward about naymer you know why because when you are the best you attract all the attention
lbcrna
2
you didn't report like this when Messi escaped red card for a challenge many believed to be red against algeria after his reckless stud on the calf of algeria captain aisaa mandi. - Alexis Mac Allister's elbow vs. Algeria – Algeria also claimed Alexis Mac Allister escaped punishment for an alleged elbow on Ibrahim Maza. This incident was included in the federation's complaint. - several pundid ,fans and players believe Argentina goals against Austria shouldn't have stood because Alexis Mac Allister fouled Austria's Xaver Schlager from behind beforek Argentina regained possessions to scored their opener (VAR says no foul). -
Shalom109
0
go and check 2025 Nations league final
bro get back to reality and its 2026. He has become a problem Portugal. any fan of the sport can tell you that. without favouring cr7. He's a legend but needs to be used as sub.
hupacepstu
1
Bro you scored a penalty what’s with the delusional reaction
penalty is part of the game just like any other allowed goals 😉
hupacepstu
0
Literally the passenger in the first half. The penalty was good. but he'll be more efficient and effective as a sub.
go and check 2025 Nations league final
ruyeipty
0
World Cup is not Ronaldo’s dream.
Funny Ronaldo fans😆😆😆😁
Eljon2023
3
Bro you scored a penalty what’s with the delusional reaction
Nuplopsz
7
World Cup is not Ronaldo’s dream.
Shalom109
1
Literally the passenger in the first half. The penalty was good. but he'll be more efficient and effective as a sub.