TORONTO:
Portugal defeated Croatia 1-2 in the qualifying round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and advanced to the pre-quarterfinals.
In the first half of the match, Portugal was in control of the ball most of the time, but at the beginning of the second half, Croatia advanced. In the 53rd minute, Ivan Perisic gave his team a 0-1 lead with a brilliant shot.
Croatia scored a second goal a few minutes later but it was ruled out for offside. On the other hand, Portugal could not get a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo due to offside.
In the decisive phase of the match, VAR called a foul on Renato Vega during the corner kick, which awarded Portugal a penalty.
Cristiano Ronaldo saved his heart by scoring the first goal of his career in the last stages of the World Cup to win a penalty and reach the next round.
Extra time was imminent when substitute Gonzalo Ramos headed home Rafael Liao’s superb cross to give Portugal a decisive lead in the 94th minute.
Croatia tried to equalize the match with a goal in the last minute of injury time, but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR, securing the win for Portugal.
After this success, Portugal is now facing Spain in the 16th. The big match between the two European powers will be played on July 6 at the Dallas Stadium in Texas.
