Ronaldo scores first World Cup knockout goal as Portugal advances

Portugal booked a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after defeating Croatia, 2-1, in a dramatic Round of 32 clash that ended Luka Modric's likely final World Cup campaign.

Portugal dominated the early exchanges, controlling possession and creating several scoring opportunities, but Croatia's disciplined defense kept the match scoreless at halftime.

Croatia struck first after the break when Ivan Perisic finished a low cross from Josip Stanisic to put the 2018 finalists ahead, 1-0. Substitute Igor Matanovic appeared to double the lead moments later, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had equalized shortly afterward, only for his goal to also be disallowed for offside.

Croatia continued to threaten, but several promising attacks either drifted wide or were flagged offside.

Portugal finally found the breakthrough after a VAR review awarded a penalty when Renato Veiga was ruled to have been fouled by Nikola Vlasic during a corner kick. Ronaldo converted from the spot, scoring his first career goal in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup to level the match at 1-1.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was later substituted for AC Milan forward Gonçalo Ramos.

The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Rafael Leão delivered a pinpoint cross that Ramos headed home to give Portugal a 2-1 lead.

Croatia nearly forced extra time in the dying seconds after Joško Gvardiol found the net, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside, ending the Kockasti's comeback hopes.

The victory sends Portugal into a quarterfinal showdown with Spain in a rematch of the UEFA Nations League final. For Croatia, the defeat likely marks the end of Luka Modric's illustrious World Cup career.