In the 109th minute of an intense World Cup encounter, referee Espen Eskås signaled the end. Portugal moved to the round of 16 after a 2-1 victory over Croatia at Toronto Stadium. This dramatic match saw momentum swing continuously, ultimately ending in heartbreak for Croatia when Josko Gvardiol’s potential equalizer was ruled out for offside following a video review.
Luka Modrić, at 40 years old and likely at his final World Cup, was visibly affected by the outcome. Meanwhile, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo remained in the tournament, relieved after initially fearing the worst.
The First Goal in Added Time
As 90 minutes concluded, the match entered 10 minutes of added time, brimming with drama. In the 94th minute, Rafael Leao’s cross found Gonçalo Ramos, who headed it past the Croatian goalkeeper, securing Portugal’s second goal.
Portugal celebrated wildly, needing only to defend their lead to advance.
Croatia Strikes Back
By the 103rd minute, Croatia faced urgency. Ivan Perisic delivered a cross that Igor Mantanovic flicked slightly, enabling the ball to eventually reach Mario Palasic, who redirected it towards the goal. Gvardiol completed the effort, igniting celebrations among Croatian players and fans.
However, joy turned to confusion as replays indicated Palasic was offside when receiving the ball. The touch from Portugal’s Renato Veiga prompted further examination, focusing on whether Mantanovic had contact before the deflection. Video Assistant Referees determined Mantanovic’s touch led to an offside decision, devastating Croatia and prompting celebration from Portugal.
The announcement of the decision left Croatian players disappointed. Fans expressed frustration by throwing bottles, leading to a brief delay.
What Led to This Point
The teams went into halftime tied, with neither side dominating. The second half saw Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 53rd minute. Rafael Leao nearly equalized with a long-range shot hitting the bar. Ronaldo briefly thought he had scored, but his goal was disallowed due to offside.
Portugal, under coach Roberto Martinez, made several substitutions while keeping Ronaldo on the pitch. From a corner, Portugal earned a penalty after a foul on Veiga. Ronaldo converted it to tie the match.
Heroic Goalkeeping by Diogo Costa
Croatia, known for deep World Cup runs, created multiple chances. Portugal’s Diogo Costa made crucial saves, including shots from Matteo Kovacic and an effort from Igor Matanovic. Petar Sucic scored, but it was nullified for offside.
In the 81st minute, Portugal substituted Ronaldo, potentially marking his World Cup farewell. After the match, Ronaldo donned a Diogo Jota jersey, honoring his late former teammate.
Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić criticized the video replay system, claiming it detracts from the emotional experience of football. He expressed concern about the impact on the game’s spirit.