Gonçalo Ramos the hero in Toronto where Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 and stay alive at the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Gonçalo Ramos heads in the stoppage-time winner for Portugal against Croatia (Photo: FPF)

Portugal’s 2026 World Cup hopes remain alive after a thrilling 2-1 victory against Croatia at Toronto Stadium.

The first chance fell the way of Bruno Fernandes following a move down the left wing involving Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leão, his shot too close to Dominik Livakovic who made the save.

Cristiano Ronaldo went close to getting on the end of Pedro Neto’s cross before firing a free kick into the wall. The opportunities kept coming for the Seleção, Renato Veiga heading Mendes’ corner over the bar from point blank range.

Rúben Dias was booked for elbowing Ante Budimir in the head but the momentum remained with Portugal who must have felt like playing at home, such were the numbers of Portuguese supporters and Ronaldo fans in attendance.

The danger kept coming but Croatia held firm, Ronaldo inches away from converting João Cancelo’s cross and Leão volleying over the bar in added time.

Zlatko Dalic brought on Igor Matanovic for Ante Budimir at the break which signalled a shift in proceedings. Mateo Kovacic forced a save from Diogo Costa but Croatia stayed on the front foot and took the lead in the 53rd minute.

Josip Stanisic’s cross fell for Ivan Perišić at the back post, the veteran given too much time and space that he capitalised on, firing the ball past Costa.

Portugal were getting sliced apart, Matanovic putting the ball into the net with the goal ruled out due to Nikola Vlasic being offside.

Leão rattled the bar and Sucic was denied by Costa as the intensity ramped up a few notches. The drama kept on coming, Ronaldo latching onto Neto’s pass, taking a touch and beating Livakovic but doing it from an offside position.

Roberto Martínez made a statement by replacing João Cancelo, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto with Nélson Semedo, Bernardo Silva, Francisco Conceição and Gonçalo Ramos.

The game then took a big turn following another Mendes corner. Vlasic manhandled Veiga who was unable to get to the ball, referee Espen Eskås summoned to the touchline monitor by the VAR and eventually awarding a penalty.

There could be no other, Ronaldo taking responsibility and stroking the ball down the middle to send the majority of the crowd into ecstasy.

Cristiano Ronaldo equalises from the penalty spot (Photo: FPF)

Dalic brought on Marco Pasalic for Martin Baturina as the game opened up even more. Costa turned Mateo Kovacic’s shot off the post before the midfielder had another effort, Costa tipping his volley over the bar.

The goalkeeper was being put to the test and accepting the challenge, coming off his line to deny Matanovic. Sukic then got behind Portugal’s defence and beat Costa, yet another goal ruled out for offside.

Martínez made big call in the 82nd minute when he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo with Rúben Neves.

Veiga headed Mendes’ corner wide and Mario Pasalic headed Petar Sucic’s cross wide with the game there for the taking. Vlasic made way for Josko Gvardiol in added time but there was plenty of more drama to come.

It was Gonçalo Ramos’ time to shine, the striker getting between two defenders and heading Leão’s cross past Livakovic.

Andrej Kramaric replaced Mateo Kovacic before Croatia thought they had equalised at the death. Gvardiol steered the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out after Pasalic was caught in an offside position.

Croatia supporters began launching missiles onto the pitch which delayed the inevitable, Portugal holding on to snatch an incredible win to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

What a rush!

If ever there was a match to prove that football is often a game of fine margins, it was this one. Players hitting the woodwork and goals ruled out for offside, it was a second half thriller in a contest to remember.

Croatia were content with creating counter attacking opportunities in the first half but emerged from half-time with intent and deservedly went ahead. Portugal’s never-say-die attitude came to the fore, Gonçalo Ramos emerging as the hero after Ronaldo was substituted.

Ramos spoke after his match winner: “It's special. It's a special competition. Anyone who knows me already knows that if a goal is needed in the final minutes, I'm there. It's not the first, second, or third time. Whenever they need a goal in the final minutes, they can call on Gonçalo Ramos.”

Diogo Costa’s contribution can’t be underestimated. He produced a fantastic save to deny Mateo Kovacic with the game delicately poised, his second man of the match performance in a row.

There was an emotional moment after the final whistle when Ronaldo put on a red Portugal jersey with Diogo Jota’s number 21 of the back. The match was played one day before the one year anniversary of his tragic death alongside his brother André Silva.

Portugal celebrate at the final whistle while paying tribute to Diogo Jota, one year after his tragic death (Photo: FPF)

Ronaldo was asked about Jota after the match: “It's a special day because, as you know, it's our Jota's day. He's up there shining his light on us, and it's a special moment. We all feel he's with us, and it only made sense to win to honour him in the best way possible.”

Roberto Martínez and his players will celebrate for a short time before turning their attentions to a tough Round of 16 clash against Spain, the match to be played in Arlington on 6 July.

Line Ups

Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; João Cancelo (Nélson Semedo 62’), Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha (Bernardo Silva, 62’); Pedro Neto (Francisco Conceição 62’), Bruno Fernandes (Gonçalo Ramos 62’), Rafael Leão; Cristiano Ronaldo (Rúben Neves 81’)

Unused Substitutions: José Sá, Rui Silva, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio, Diogo Dalot, Matheus Nunes, Samú Costa, Francisco Trincão, Gonçalo Guedes, João Félix

Manager: Roberto Martínez

Croatia (4-2-3-1): Dominik Livakovic; Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Marin Pongracic, Ivan Perisic; Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovacic (Andrej Kramaric 90+5’); Nikola Vlasic (Josko Gvardiol 90+1’), Petar Sucic, Martin Baturina (Mario Pasalic 68’); Ante Budimir (Igor Matanovic 46’)

Unused Substitutions: Ivor Pandur, Dominik Kotarski, Luka Vuskovic, Martin Erlic, Duje Caleta-Car, Marco Pasalic, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Sucic, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk, Petar Musa

Manager: Zlatko Dalic

Goals

[0-1] Ivan Perisic 53'