Portugal beat Croatia to reach last 16 as 103rd-minute equalizer ruled out | OneFootball

Gonçalo Ramos’ late winner sent Portugal to the round of 16 in World Cup to meet Spain after coming from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 with the help of a controversial disallowed goal due to offside in the 103rd minute.

Ivan Perišić opened up the scoring in the second half with a drilled-shot in the box which zipped past Diogo Costa into the bottom corner.

Cristiano Ronaldo had his say on the matter with an emphatic penalty to score his first knockout goal in a World Cup after Renato Veiga was pulled down by Nikola Vlasic in the 18-yard box.

But it was Gonçalo Ramos who arrived in the 94th minute with a bullet header to send Portugal to the round of 16 from a wonderful ball in by Leão, keeping the campaign alive for Roberto Martinez’s Portugal side.

The match ended in dramatic fashion as Croatia were denied a late equaliser due to an offside call which was decided by the referee through an on-screen review.

However, an element of subjectivity remained as the call was made and upon its review by fans and pundits alike, on whether Matonovic touched it in the build-up to the goal, that called an end to Luka Modric’s World Cup career.

As it happened

With rapid start to the contest Croatia opened up Portugal down the left flank, with a low cross from Martin Baturina arriving into the box t to Osasuna striker Ante Budimir, but his weak shot was straight into Diogo Costa’s hand.

Moments later, Portugal responded with Rafael Leão getting down the byline, setting up Bruno Fernandes, which called Dominik Livakovic to goalkeeping duty before Vitinha’s shot on the rebound was blocked as the ball was scrambled away.

Nuno Mendes created a massive opportunity with a lovely in-swinging corner for a Renato Veiga free header which he’ll be disappointed with because he got it completely wrong with the header completely wide of the mark.

Remaining keen after the first hydration break, the Portugal fullbacks remained creative. João Cancelo, delivered a great ball into the box however the infamous Portuguese great with the number seven on his back and the Manchester United playmaker failed to make contact.

Before half-time, Pedro Neto finds a yard of space to deliver a dangerous ball into the box headed away by Sutalo but the AC Milan winger is unable to strike it sweetly on the volley as ball rocketed over the bar.

Portugal came out the blocks slow in the second-half with a golden opportunity for Mateo Kovacic to score, dazzling his way into the box with quick feet which was goal bound if not for a significant save from Costa using his foot to direct it to the side netting.

With the momentum in Croatia’s favour, it was Ivan Perišić who fired home the opener from Stanisic’s cross which Cancelo was unable to header away to arrive in the path of the Croatian veteran’s path.

It was nearly a quickfire double for the Croatians if not for the offside flag, which denied Vlasic who thought he had poked it home for a second goal from close range.

Looking for an equaliser, Leão cut in from the left flank onto his favoured right foot wrapping a powerful curling finesse shot which rattled crossbar.

Cristiano Ronaldo makes a sharp running from a long pass which gets him one-on-one with goalkeeper and dinks over, but his celebrations were cut short as the linesman put up his flag.

A VAR review came into play minutes later seeing Veiga held with two hands by Vlasic as he was going for a header.

The 41-year-old Portuguese icon stepped up for the high-pressure penalty and dispatched it confidently straight down the middle to score his first ever World Cup knockout goal, and a really important one at that, the stadium roaring with his icon “Siu” celebration.

Kovacic was a menace in midfielder, as he got away from Joao Neves in midfield before his effort hits the post, and then another long-range effort of his is saved by the Porto captain who then made himself big to keep out Matanovic.

Roberto Martínez made the brave call to substitute Ronaldo off in 81st minute so he had to participate as a spectator for the rest of the match — he could do no more for Portugal’s chance to progress.

The Portugal manager produced a moment with his changes with the substitutes as it was Gonçalo Ramos who scored the winner off the bench with a wonderful cross by Leão which the PSG forward buried with a perfect glancing header.

Football is a brutal sport. Croatia thought they had equalised in the 112th minute of the game with 10 minutes of stoppage time minimum, however a subjective offside in the build-up, which the referee deemed was valid because Matonovic touched it before it fell the way of his teammate, meant that the goal didn’t stand.

In the last 16 Portugal will face European champions Spain at Dallas Stadium, Texas, on Monday 6 July (20:00 BST).

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.