Portugal advanced to the World Cup round of 16 following a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto capped by a controversial VAR decision in the final seconds of the match.
Croatia struck first in the 53rd minute when Ivan Perišić finished a cross from Josip Stanišić. Portugal responded in the 68th minute after a VAR review awarded them a penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 confidently converted the spot-kick becoming the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout stage.
The match billed as a potential final international showdown between Ronaldo and 40-year-old Croatian captain Luka Modrić, was chaotic four disallowed goals.
In the 94th minute substitute Gonçalo Ramos headed home Rafael Leão’s cross to give Portugal a late lead. Moments later Croatia thought they had equalised through Joško Gvardiol in the 103rd minute. However the ball’s internal microchip detected a faint touch from an offside player on the way through. VAR disallowed the goal prompting frustrated Croatian fans to throw debris onto the pitch.
Following the final whistle an emotional Ronaldo donned a No. 21 jersey to dedicate the victory to late teammate Diogo Jota marking the one-year anniversary of his tragic passing.
Portugal will next face Spain in Dallas for a place in the quarter-finals.
