Goncalo Ramos scored a late, late winner as Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ivan Perisic had given Croatia the lead shortly after the break, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s third goal of these finals drew Portugal level. Ramos then rose highest to send a Rafael Leao cross home in the fourth minute of stoppage time, according to the FIFA report on its website.
Roberto Martinez’s side were made to pay for those misses shortly after the break. Nikola Vlasic and Josip Stanisic combined down the right, with the latter’s cross finding Perisic to fire home at the far post.
Croatia thought they had doubled their lead soon after when Vlasic crossed for Igor Matanovic to slide in, but the Torino man was offside.
It was the turn of Portugal thereafter as Ronaldo’s dinked goal was ruled offside.
But more drama was loading as Vlasic dragged down Renato Veiga from a corner, with the referee awarding a penalty following a VAR review. Ronaldo converted the penalty for his 11th World Cup goal.
That swung the pendulum once again. Mateo Kovacic saw a long-range effort tipped onto the post by Diogo Costa. He stung the palms of Costa again soon after, before Matanovic was foiled by a sprawling save. He was helpless to deny Petar Sucic from finding the net with ten minutes to go, but Portugal were again saved by the flag.
Then came the 94th minute. The lively Leao sent a tantalising cross into the middle, which Ramos headed home to spark scenes of delirium on the Portugal bench.
There was still somehow time for further drama. A Hail Mary pass into the Portugal box fell to Mario Pasalic to square for Josko Gvardiol to tap home. After a VAR review, however, Pasalic was deemed to have been offside.
Martinez’s men will now face Spain in Dallas on 6 July.