# Portugal Edge Croatia in World Cup Drama as VAR Call Seals Ronaldo’s Last-16 Passage

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/portugal-edge-croatia-in-world-cup-drama-as-var-call-seals-ronaldos-last-16-passage/
- Published: 2026-07-03T05:12:21+00:00
- Topics: Americas, Europe, Football, Sport, World

## Key points

- Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 with goals from Ronaldo (penalty) and Ramos to advance to the Round of 16
- VAR disallowed Gvardiol's late equaliser for offside, a pivotal decision that sealed Portugal's progression
- Portugal will face Spain next; Ronaldo's farewell World Cup campaign continues

## Summary

Portugal secured a 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto to advance to the World Cup last 16, with captain Cristiano Ronaldo converting from the penalty spot and substitute Gonçalo Ramos notching a crucial 94th-minute header to decide a chaotic second-half encounter. The match carried added significance as Ronaldo seeks to extend what many view as his final World Cup campaign, with both sides competing fiercely for progression.

A decisive late VAR review denied Croatia a lifeline when Josko Gvardiol's stoppage-time goal was ruled out for offside, extinguishing the Balkan nation's hopes of snatching an equaliser in the frantic closing stages. Portugal's win sets up a Round of 16 fixture against Spain, continuing Ronaldo's bid to leave a mark on his tournament swan song.

## Coverage

- [BBC Sport: Huge VAR call prolongs Ronaldo’s last dance but ends Modric’s](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cz0jee3vy39o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [BBC Sport: Portugal through to last 16 after dramatic victory over Croatia](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cy9r11gj8lzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [BBC Sport: Victorious Portugal pay emotional tribute to Jota](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1kyl71wxw9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [Fox News: VAR denies Croatia’s game-tying goal as Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal to Round of 16](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/var-denies-croatias-game-tying-goal-cristiano-ronaldo-leads-portugal-round-16)
- [The Guardian: Ramos sends Portugal into last 16 as VAR drama caps wild finish against Croatia](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/02/portugal-croatia-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report)
- [BBC Sport: Late VAR drama as Croatia denied equaliser](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/ckg7eerdx6go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [BBC Sport: Ronaldo levels from penalty spot for Portugal](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cdx7ddr5n7qo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)

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