Portugal advance in World Cup thanks to last-gasp Ramos winner
TORONTO: Substitute Goncalo Ramos's headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday (Jul 2) after a gripping 2-1 win against Croatia.
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Portugal survive late drama to beat Croatia and reach World Cup last 16
TORONTO, July 2 : Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first World Cup knockout-stage goal of his career, Goncalo Ramos netted a stoppage-time header and Portugal got a last-second break on an offside call to beat Croatia 2-1 on Thursday and set up a last-16 clash with Spain.
Portugal defeat Croatia 2-1 to reach World Cup last 16
TORONTO: Substitute Goncalo Ramos’s headed goal edged Portugal into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday after a gripping contest with Croatia. Ramos connected with a superb pass from Rafael Leao in the fourth minute of stoppage time to snuff out a Croatia team which had created the lion’s share of the chances in sapping evening heat in Toronto. In a dramatic ending, Croatia thought they had equalized in the dying seconds but Josko Gvardiol’s goal was chalked off for offside. The Croatians were left stunned by the decision, while Portugal’s players celebrated. Cristiano Ronaldo played his role in the victory, stroking home a penalty that canceled out Ivan Perisic’s opener. It was Ronaldo’s first ever goal in the knockout phase of the World Cup and his remarkable international career will have another chapter when Portugal face Spain in Dallas on Monday. Perisic had stunned the Portuguese by slotting the ball under the advancing Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the 53rd minute. Within minutes, Ronaldo had the ball in the net after controlling a long pass, but his effort was disallowed for offside. But Portugal got level when Renato Veiga was grabbed by Croatia’s Nikola Vlasic in the penalty area and after a VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot. Ronaldo stepped up to convert the penalty with ease, hitting the ball straight down the middle of the goal and pumping his fists with joy afterwards. In a pulsating game, Manchester City forward Mateo Kovacic’s low shot was pushed onto a post by ‘keeper Costa’s fingertips. Still Croatia pushed and Peta Sucic had the ball in the net but the assistant referee’s flag was up for a clear offside. Ronaldo was withdrawn in the 81st minute to allow Ruben Neves to come on. Croa
World Cup Daily live: Ronaldo, Portugal face Croatia; Spain thrash Austria - ESPN
The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 continues on Thursday with three more matches.
One last dance: Portugal and Croatia fans march in Toronto heat to see Ronaldo and Modric
TORONTO, July 2 : Thousands of Portugal and Croatia supporters braved severe heat as they danced and sang their way to Toronto Stadium to witness icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric likely face each other one last time on the sport's grandest stage.
Leao replaces Felix for Portugal against unchanged Croatia
TORONTO, July 2 : Portugal made one change for their round-of-32 match against Croatia on Thursday with Rafael Leao joining the attack in place of Joao Felix. Croatia are unchanged.
Mikel Oyarzabal's 2 goals send dominant Spain past Austria 3-0 and into round of 16 at the World Cup
Mikel Oyarzabal scored two goals and Spain beat Austria 3-0 on Thursday for its first World Cup victory in a knockout match since winning the title in 2010.
Spain power into last 16 at World Cup, Portugal face Croatia
LOS ANGELES: European champions Spain cruised into the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday with a dominant 3-0 win over Austria to set up a potential showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and a Pedro Porro header sealed victory for the Spaniards, who produced their most complete performance of the tournament to advance to the next round. Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a faltering 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, but have subsequently built momentum with each match. With Spanish movie stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem in the 70,492 crowd at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on Thursday, Spain were always in control against a limited Austrian side who failed to register a single shot on goal. Oyarzabal fired Spain into the lead in the 36th minute, sweeping in a low finish to crown a slick passing move, and more deft inter-play set up Porro to head home the second in the 66th minute. Real Sociedad striker Oyarzabal grabbed his second in the 89th minute, coolly tucking away a low finish from Marc Cucurella’s pinpoint cross.