Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Toronto Stadium in Toronto on July 2.
Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese captain, equalized from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, while fellow Portuguese striker Gonçalo Ramos scored the winner in the 90+4th minute.
The victory advanced Portugal to the Round of 16 after Croatia, led by Croatian forward Ivan Perišić’s 53rd-minute opener, mounted strong resistance in a tense knockout clash.
Croatia’s Ivan Perišić, the Croatian forward, opened the scoring in the 53rd minute by finishing at the back post from a cross by Josip Stanišić. Portugal responded when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th minute, awarded after a VAR review for a foul on Renato Veiga. Gonçalo Ramos, then headed home the stoppage-time winner from a cross by Portuguese winger Rafael Leão in the 90+4th minute. The match flow featured a competitive first half, Croatia taking the lead early in the second, Portugal dominating possession and chances thereafter, and a dramatic late comeback sealed by Portugal’s clinical finishing.
Portugal finished second in their group stage with five points and a goal difference of +1, advancing as runners-up. Croatia also progressed from their group with six points but exited in the Round of 32.
Portugal faces Spain in the Round of 16 on July 6.