Football World Cup 2026 Tickets: Goncalo Ramos had earlier headed Portugal into the lead in added time after Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted by Roberto Martinez. Ronaldo’s penalty had cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s opener. Portugal will now face bitter local rivals Spain in the round of 16, with the USMNT or Belgium lying in wait for the winners.

Portugal Edges Croatia in a Dramatic World Cup Clash

We have barely recovered from that one, but there is one more match on the way today at the World Cup as Switzerland take on Algeria in the round of 32. Ronaldo went straight down the middle for his penalty. A cool head under pressure to bring Portugal level. A forlorn Luka Modric leaving the field at the World Cup here, possibly for the last time.

Soccer groups across the globe are eagerly awaiting the FIFA World Cup, the final celebration of generous excellence and worldwide desire. Raise your match day journey with select Football World Cup 2026 Tickets, accessible now at eTicketing.co. Plunge by hand into the thrill, drama, and notable moments as they unfold live, right at the core of the action. Don’t miss your accidental to witness football’s most iconic spectacle. Secure your FIFA 2026 Hospitality packages today!

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Missed that game and want to understand why Croatia’s late goal was ruled out? Wondering how Cristiano Ronaldo reacted after his goal and being substituted? From the good to the bad, football has made clear technological advances in recent times, and the match balls used at modern tournaments underline that new era.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos Deliver When It Matters

Its primary purpose is to help with offside calls, but it can also detect whether a player has touched the ball. The first half was tense but not the cleanest football from both teams. The quality and intensity ramped up in the second half. Click to read more about the Football World Cup 2026 Tickets.

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There were chances from either team. VAR was involved. Cristiano Ronaldo converted on a penalty kick. Short of penalties, hard to find a match at the World Cup so far with more drama than this one had.

VAR and Connected Ball Technology Shape Key Decisions

Toronto got a memorable one for its finale match. Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored a remarkable 25 goals at major international tournaments, which is five more than any other European man. Even in defeat, Croatia's Luka Modric earned a hat tip from The Athletic's readers in the discussion section.

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The 40-year-old Modric may have played his final World Cup match today, and reader Brandon B. reflected on Modric's legacy: I know Mexico against England carries plenty of anticipation, especially given it is being played at the Azteca. But Portugal against Spain might be my next favourite round-of-16 match. Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lamine Yamal is tantalising.

One major team is not going to make the quarter-finals at this World Cup. When the knockout bracket was made, this was a possibility. Now it is reality. Goncalo Ramos is a strange player. He is clearly talented but also diffident, a bullfighter who seems to have little taste for blood.

Portugal Set Up a Blockbuster Round of 16 Against Spain

His previous big World Cup moment for Portugal, that superb hat-trick against Switzerland in Qatar, seemed set to propel his career to the next level. Instead, he’s spent much of the time since then sitting on Paris Saint-Germain’s bench. For Portugal, it has been the same. He has never managed to make an unignorable case for himself, even as Ronaldo has declined.

There was no real question of his being a starter under Roberto Martinez when this tournament began. Will his goal here change that? It remains to be seen. What we can say is that Ramos grabbed his opportunity with both hands. A sleepy, scoreless first half turned into the best kind of mayhem after the break.

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Croatia switched up their approach in the second half and were rewarded when Ivan Perisic scored in the 53rd minute. Cristiano Ronaldo answered from the penalty spot with his first career goal in a World Cup knockout game, and the match appeared headed for extra time even as both teams pushed forward.

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Who scored the goals for Portugal against Croatia?

Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot, while Goncalo Ramos netted the winning goal in added time after coming off the bench.

Why was Croatia's late equalizer disallowed?

The goal was ruled out after a VAR review, with Connected Ball Technology and semi-automated offside technology helping officials determine the correct decision.

Who will Portugal face in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16?

Portugal will play Spain in a highly anticipated Round of 16 match, with the winner advancing to face either the United States or Belgium.

What is Connected Ball Technology at the FIFA World Cup?

Connected Ball Technology is an Adidas innovation that uses a 500Hz motion sensor inside the match ball to provide real-time data, improving VAR decisions and supporting semi-automated offside calls.

Did Cristiano Ronaldo score his first World Cup knockout goal in this match?

Yes. Ronaldo's penalty against Croatia was his first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout match.

Why was Goncalo Ramos' goal important for Portugal?

Ramos' stoppage-time header secured Portugal's victory and strengthened his case for more playing time during the tournament.

How did Croatia perform in the second half?

Croatia improved significantly after halftime, took the lead through Ivan Perisic, and nearly forced extra time before their late goal was ruled out.

What milestone did Cristiano Ronaldo achieve during the match?

Ronaldo reached 25 goals in major international tournaments, extending his record as the highest-scoring European men's player in those competitions.

Why is the Portugal vs Spain Round of 16 match attracting so much attention?

The match features two fierce rivals and could showcase an exciting battle between veteran star Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain's young sensation Lamine Yamal, making it one of the standout fixtures of the knockout stage.

How can fans sell FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets safely?

Fans can sell FIFA World Cup tickets through trusted platforms like Xchangetickets. These marketplaces connect buyers and sellers for group, knockout, and final matches.