In a thrilling encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Portugal edged past Croatia with a memorable 2-1 comeback victory, courtesy of Goncalo Ramos' late header in stoppage time. The match took place on Thursday and was pivotal for both teams in their quest to progress to the knockout stages.

After a tense first half, Croatia broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with Ivan Perisic finding the back of the net. The Croatian forward's strike seemed to set the tone for the match, as they looked poised to control the game. However, Portugal's determination shone through as they regrouped and began pressing for an equalizer.

The turning point came in the 68th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty kick following a VAR review that confirmed a foul in the box. The iconic forward calmly slotted the ball home, leveling the score and igniting hope among the Portuguese supporters.

As the match wore on, both teams battled fiercely, with Croatia looking to regain the advantage. They thought they had done so late in the game when Josko Gvardiol scored what appeared to be a winning goal, but it was ruled out for offside, keeping Portugal's hopes alive.

In a dramatic finish, substitute Goncalo Ramos showcased his aerial ability by connecting with a precise cross from Rafael Leao, heading the ball past the Croatian goalkeeper in the 94th minute. This stunning goal sent the Portuguese fans into raptures and ensured their place in the last 16 of the tournament.

Portugal's coach expressed immense pride in his team's resilience, stating, "We showed character and belief until the final whistle. This win is a testament to our fighting spirit." As the players celebrated on the pitch, their focus now shifts to the next challenge in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Portugal will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their upcoming match in the knockout phase, where they hope to continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.