2026 FIFA World Cup: Ronaldo breaks jinx as his replacement sends Portugal past Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo finally got his first World Cup knockout goal, scoring an equaliser from the penalty spot to spur Portugal into a 2-1 victory in their Round of 32 clash against Croatia.

Despite Ronaldo's historic goal, however, Gonçalo Ramos and VAR are the heroes of the night, as the newly minted AC Milan striker came off the bench to head in the winner.

After benefiting from a VAR-awarded penalty, which Ronaldo converted in the 68th minute, the technology came to Portugal's rescue again, helping referee Espen Eskas to rule out Croatia's would-be late equaliser from Josko Gvardiol as offside.

Portugal survived the dramatic finale and will now head to the Round of 16, where they will face Spain—who won their Round of 32 tie convincingly against Austria—at the Dallas Stadium, Arlington.

The clash between the two European heavyweights began as a tightly contested affair. Despite Portugal dominating possession in the first 45 minutes, a resolute Croatian defence marshalled by Josip Šutalo and Marin Pongračić held firm, ensuring the sides went into the half-time break locked at 0-0.  

Croatia emerged from the interval with renewed attacking intent and broke the deadlock with their very first shot on target. 

Veteran winger Ivan Perišić pounced on a loose ball inside the Portuguese penalty area and finished clinically past Diogo Costa, handing Zlatko Dalić’s side a 1-0 lead. It was Perišić's seventh career World Cup goal. 

 Croatia nearly doubled their advantage just minutes later when Nikola Vlašić found the net, but the assistant referee flagged for offside. At the other end, Portugal’s Rafael Leão curled a superb effort against the post in the 58th minute, while Ronaldo also saw a potential equaliser ruled out for offside.

Facing early elimination, Portugal relentlessly piled on the pressure, eventually forcing the crucial errors needed to flip the match on its head.

Portugal’s persistence paid off when Renato Veiga was pulled down inside the penalty area following a corner. After a VAR review confirmed the foul, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to the spot. 

With the weight of the nation on his shoulders, the captain sent Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livaković the wrong way, levelling the score at 1-1 and effectively becoming the oldest goalscorer in a World Cup knockout game at 41. 

 The final 15 minutes devolved into complete chaos. Croatia's Petar Sučić had a goal disallowed for offside in the 80th minute, and Diogo Costa was forced to make two incredible back-to-back saves to keep Portugal alive.

 Ronaldo was substituted in the 81st minute, leaving his teammates to find the winner, with Ramos, who came on earlier, replacing him at centre-forward. 

Just as extra time loomed, Portugal delivered the final blow. Rafael Leão sent a perfectly weighted cross from the edge of the box, and Ramos rose highest to meet it, heading the ball into the back of the net to give Portugal a 2-1 lead.  

Deep into an extended period of stoppage time, Croatia thought they had found a miraculous equaliser through Joško Gvardiol. However, after a tense VAR review, Mario Pašalić was ruled offside in the buildup, sealing Portugal's victory.