VAR denies Croatia rescue as Portugal advance after Ramos winner

Portugal have reached the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Croatia 2-1 in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team snatched victory in stoppage time and will now face Spain.

The Iberian derby between Portugal and Spain is set to become one of the biggest matches of the next knockout stage. The game will be played in Dallas.

Portugal vs Croatia: drama, VAR and a 94th-minute winner

Croatia opened the scoring in the second half through Ivan Perišić. However, Portugal managed to get back into the match as Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty to make it 1-1.

The decisive moment came in stoppage time. In the 90+4th minute, Gonçalo Ramos scored the winning goal to put Portugal ahead 2-1.

But the drama did not end there. A total of 18 minutes was added to regular time, and Croatia were given a chance to rescue the match. In the 12th minute of stoppage time, Joško Gvardiol sent the ball into the net, and the goal was initially awarded.

However, after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was ruled out for an offside against Mario Pašalić. The referees spent a long time reviewing the episode, with the key moment being Igor Matanović’s header touch on the ball. After that touch, Pašalić, who was in an offside position, became actively involved in the play.

As a result, Croatia’s goal was disallowed, and Portugal held on to their 2-1 lead.

Possibly Luka Modrić’s last big match

For Croatia, this defeat may mark the end of an entire era. The match against Portugal was likely Luka Modrić’s last game for the national team at this level.

The legendary Croatian midfielder once again played with enormous dedication, but this time his team’s run ended in the knockout stage. Croatia leave the World Cup with their heads held high, while the football world says farewell to one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

Portugal to face Spain

Portugal remain in the race for the title and will meet Spain in the Round of 16. It will be a fierce Iberian derby between two teams aiming for the highest places at the 2026 World Cup.

After such a dramatic win over Croatia, Roberto Martínez’s team received a huge emotional boost, but an even tougher test now awaits them.