Goncalo Ramos scored in the fourth minute of added time as Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 and reach the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal will face Spain in the next round after a dramatic late winner from Goncalo Ramos ended Croatia’s hopes of extending their tournament.
Croatia had taken the lead early in the second half through Ivan Perisic and looked set to force extra time after Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot.
But Ramos headed in an aerial cross in the 94th minute to complete Portugal’s turnaround in the last-32 tie, played at the World Cup being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The result means Portugal advance to a meeting with Spain, who booked their place in the last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Austria.
Perisic gives Croatia the lead
The opening half did not produce a goal, leaving the contest finely balanced at the break.
Croatia broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Perisic converted after receiving a cross inside the penalty area. He controlled the ball before placing his effort accurately into the net.
The goal put Croatia in a strong position and gave Portugal a difficult task, with the match moving towards its closing stages.
Portugal eventually found a way back in the 68th minute after the referee awarded a penalty following consultation with video technology.
Ronaldo stepped forward and converted the spot-kick to bring Portugal level.
The equaliser shifted the momentum of the match and ensured Croatia could not simply protect their lead for the remainder of normal time.
Ramos delivers decisive moment
With the score still level at 1-1, the match appeared to be heading into extra time.
Portugal continued to search for a decisive goal and were rewarded deep into added time.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Ramos met a cross inside the Croatian penalty area and headed the ball into the net.
The late strike proved decisive, giving Portugal a 2-1 victory and ending Croatia’s World Cup campaign.
The win also ensured Portugal avoided an additional 30 minutes of extra time as they prepare for a demanding last-16 fixture.
Spain await in Dallas
Portugal’s reward is a meeting with Spain, who progressed comfortably after defeating Austria 3-0.
The Portugal-Spain match will be played at Dallas Stadium on Monday, 6 July, with kick-off scheduled for 22:00 Mecca time.
The tie will bring together two European sides with ambitions of making a deep run in the tournament.
Portugal will take confidence from their ability to recover after falling behind against Croatia, particularly from the composure shown by Ronaldo from the penalty spot and Ramos’ late intervention.
For Croatia, the defeat will be especially difficult after they led for much of the second half and had appeared capable of taking the match into extra time.
Instead, Portugal’s late pressure delivered the decisive breakthrough, setting up a major World Cup contest against Spain in the last 16.
