Portugal 2-1 Croatia: FIFA World Cup 2026 – as it happened

This Portugal-Croatia match had it all, with late goals, penalties, and then potential game-defining goals being overruled by VAR. I mean, what more could you ask for?

There was also the saga of the two legends potentially making their final World Cup appearance.

Cristiano Ronaldo survived to fight another day, but spare a thought for Luka Modric as well, who may have graced this stage for the very last time of his glittering career.

We hope you enjoyed today’s drama-filled encounter. This is me, Rohan Sharma, and Kevin Hand signing off.

A late winner sends Portugal into the Round of 16! 👏#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 3, 2026

Our World Cup coverage continues into tomorrow.

Cape Verde, who have provided a lovely narrative so far, take on the defending champions, Argentina.

The live page is set to kick off at 16:00 GMT, so make sure to tune in.

Everything is ready for the 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝟑𝟐 🇦🇷🏆🇨🇻 pic.twitter.com/iuJfjMQ16n

— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) June 27, 2026

🇵🇹 Portugal 2-1 Croatia 🇭🇷

One day we’ll tell our grandchildren of The Offside Game. pic.twitter.com/Bo3fEBiP0o

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 3, 2026

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo spoke with the host broadcaster: “I was amazed because [of] the situation of the day [Diogo Jota passing nearly a year ago to the date].

“It means a lot to us, not only because we won the game but because of the way we did it.

“I played with Luka [Modric] so many years. He’s still a legend of football. I just said to him so many times, ‘Congratulations for everything. I wish you all the best for the next few years of your career’.”

1 – Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty against Croatia was his only touch inside the opposition box in his 81 minutes spent on the pitch.

It was also his first-ever goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Breakthrough. pic.twitter.com/Tp8PrO9rp5

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 3, 2026

Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva spoke to TSN after the match: “Yeah, very important [victory]. It was a tough game.

“We started well, but in the beginning of the second half, we lost control of the match.

“We lost our control when it shouldn’t have happened. It gave Croatia a massive opportunity to put us in a very difficult situation.

“We had a great reaction to come back and win the game. Important to win, but we should have done things better.

“Very impressed with how they [the local Toronto fans] supported us, not only in the stadium, but the hotel and training ground. Just unbelievable.

On Luke Modric potentially retiring after this World Cup: “That is his decision, if that is it for him on the national level. It was a pleasure to play against him.

“He has been an inspiration for me. He is an idol to me, and still is. He is a great role model for all the young kids.

“A big congratulations to him, and hope we can keep seeing each other.”

Click here to read our full match report following Portugal’s win.

For holding his nerve to score the game-tying penalty, the legendary football star is awarded Player of the Match.

CR7 answers back 🎯#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Cy8ob6SXWR

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 3, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo will be the first player to play in a FIFA World Cup knockout match after his 41st birthday.

Croatia’s starting XI has an average age of 30y, 100d, the oldest for a non-group match at the World Cup since Croatia themselves in 1998 (3rd-place match – 30y 126d). pic.twitter.com/uMXhnaTZLD

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 2, 2026

🇵🇹 Portugal have qualified for the Round of 16!#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 3, 2026

After going down a goal in the 53rd minute, it looked like Portugal’s run in this 2026 World Cup might have concluded.

But they never stopped believing, forcing a penalty that Ronaldo buried to equalise the match in the 68th minute.

It looked like we were bound for extra time and the dreaded penalties to come, but Ramos’s 94th-minute header gave the game life once more.

And then, in the most dramatic of finishes you will ever see, Croatia looked like they may have tied it up off the very last kick of the game.

But it wasn’t meant to be, as VAR reared its ugly head once more to provide yet another dramatic ending in what has been a captivating World Cup.

Full-time: Portugal 2-1 Croatia 

Oitavos de final, aqui vamos nós. 🌎🏆 #VaiDarPortugal | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/OXmwzNgtdG

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 3, 2026

With stoppage time going into the 19th minute, Portugal are able to see this through.

Full-time: Portugal 2-1 Croatia 

Second Half ends, Portugal 2, Croatia 1.

The Croatian fans are absolutely beside themselves as there is a hold-up on the restart of play.

Surely we can’t go much longer here. There are projectiles being launched onto the field as well, which certainly isn’t helping things.

You do have to feel for them, though, given the circumstances and occasion.

90+18 mins: Portugal 2-2 Croatia 

Would you believe it! The goal has been overruled. What drama are we having?

It looks like there was an offside on one of the players when the ball was played in.

This is a massive break for the Portuguese, and the Croatians – who touched the very peak of happiness – will now deal with the consequences of that decision.

90+15 mins: Portugal 2-2 Croatia 

A cross from the left side is delivered into the box by Croatia.

There is a mad scramble, before the ball eventually finds the back of the net.

It sets off mad scenes of delight for Croatian fans, who have been given a massive lifeline here.

90+13 mins: Portugal 2-2 Croatia 

VAR Decision: No Goal Portugal 2-1 Croatia.

GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: Josko Gvardiol (Croatia) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review.

The ball is driven in from the left side, but Croatia are unable to force anything at goal.

Portugal are awarded a goal kick, much to the merriment of the Portuguese fans in the stands.

90+10 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia 

They are just minutes away now. Can they hold on?

90+9 mins: Portugal 2-1 Croatia