Portugal snatched one of the most dramatic victories of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, defeating Croatia 2-1 with a stoppage-time at BMO Field, Toronto.
Croatia threatened first in the third minute when Ante Budimir fired from the edge of the area following excellent combination play involving Ivan Perišić and Nikola Vlašić, but his effort lacked power and was comfortably gathered by Diogo Costa.
Portugal responded instantly. Rafael Leão surged down the left flank before cutting the ball back to Bruno Fernandes, whose close-range strike was brilliantly denied by Dominik Livaković.
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić introduced Igor Matanović after halftime, and the substitution transformed the Croatian attack.
The striker’s relentless pressing created Croatia’s first major opportunity in the 48th minute. After winning possession high up the pitch, Mateo Kovačić drove into the penalty area, but Costa produced another vital save to keep the score level.
Five minutes later, Croatia found the breakthrough. Matanović recovered possession deep inside Portugal’s half before releasing Vlašić. Josip Stanišić delivered a dangerous cross that sailed beyond Matanović, allowing the unmarked Perišić to calmly control the ball and slot past Costa for a deserved 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
Portugal increased the pressure in search of an equaliser and eventually found it through Cristiano Ronaldo.
Following a corner, VAR intervened after Nikola Vlašić was adjudged to have held Gabri Veiga inside the penalty area. Norwegian referee Espen Eskås pointed to the spot, and Ronaldo confidently converted in the 68th minute to level the contest at 1-1.
The goal breathed new life into Portugal as both teams pushed relentlessly for a winner.
Croatia nearly regained the lead in the 88th minute when Mario Pašalić rose highest to meet a cross, but his header flashed agonisingly wide of the post.
That miss proved costly. Deep into stoppage time, Leão produced another dangerous cross from the left. Gonçalo Ramos outjumped both Marin Pongračić and Joško Gvardiol before powering his header beyond Livaković to complete Portugal’s stunning comeback.
Croatia thought they had forced extra time in the dying seconds when Gvardiol bundled the ball into the net, sparking wild celebrations. However, VAR ruled the goal out after Pašalić was judged to be offside in the build-up.
Portugal’s dramatic victory keeps their World Cup dream alive and sets up one of the tournament’s most anticipated Round of 16 fixtures against reigning European champions Spain in Dallas.
For Croatia, the heartbreaking defeat marks the end of another spirited World Cup campaign, with Dalić’s side left to reflect on how close they came to eliminating one of Europe’s traditional giants before conceding at the death.
Credit Photo : FPF
