Ronaldo ends knockout wait as Ramos sinks Croatia late
Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 at BMO Field, Goncalo Ramos heading a stoppage-time winner after Cristiano Ronaldo ended a two-decade wait for a World Cup knockout goal. At 41, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout tie, converting a penalty on 68 minutes before Ramos won it in added time. For Croatia and 40-year-old Luka Modric in his last World Cup, it was heartbreak.
How it unfolded: Perisic, Ronaldo, Ramos
Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead on 53 minutes. After a VAR-checked foul on Veiga, Ronaldo levelled from the spot on 68 — his 11th World Cup goal and first in a knockout after eight goalless knockout games. Substituted on 81, he watched Ramos head home a Leao cross at 90+4. A late Croatia equaliser was disallowed for a marginal offside amid chaotic scenes, and Portugal held on.
Context: history and farewell
Ronaldo's knockout duck was finally broken at 41, moving him level with Klinsmann and Kocsis. But Ramos, his replacement, was the hero. Croatia's era ends — 2018 finalists, third in 2022 — and Modric bids an emotional World Cup farewell.
The next step: an Iberian derby
Portugal advance to face Spain on July 6 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas — the tie of the round. Our forecast of Portugal to avoid defeat landed as they won 2-1 at the death.
What we predicted before the match
🌍 FIFA World Cup · World
Portugal – Croatia Prediction and Betting Tips
Portugal
DWDWW
vs
19:00
02 Jul · Thu
Croatia
WWLWL
Kick-off: 19:00 local (2 Jul) · 23:00 UTCVenue: BMO FieldReferee: E. Eskas
Top forecast + 3 supporting tips
4 picks Top Pick
1XPortugal or draw60% confidence
1.22odds
Portugal edge the market with their attacking depth and need only avoid a 90-minute defeat to reach extra time; Croatia's experience keeps it close, so the double chance is the measured play.
Back this tip
Total:Under: 2.556%
Under 2.5 goals
1.98 odds
Win 145%
Portugal to win
1.75 odds
Total Team 2 Under: 1.558%
Croatia under 1.5 goals
1.29 odds
This heavyweight Round of 32 tie at BMO Field brings together two nations rich in pedigree. Portugal, Group K runners-up, arrive amid questions over Cristiano Ronaldo's workload after he played every group-stage minute — the familiar 'Ronaldo problem' resurfacing. Croatia, beaten finalists in 2018, reached the knockouts under the experienced Zlatko Dalic. Expect a tactical, finely-balanced affair: Roberto Martinez's Portugal against Croatia's midfield control. With a Round of 16 place on the line and a draw sending the tie to extra time, Portugal are slight favourites. Our forecast narrowly favours Portugal to avoid defeat in a tight, low-scoring tie.
Portugal — recent matches
27 Jun 2026Colombia0 — 0D
23 Jun 2026Uzbekistan5 — 0W
17 Jun 2026Congo DR1 — 1D
10 Jun 2026Nigeria2 — 1W
06 Jun 2026Chile2 — 1W
Croatia — recent matches
27 Jun 2026Ghana2 — 1W
23 Jun 2026Panama1 — 0W
17 Jun 2026England2 — 4L
07 Jun 2026Slovenia2 — 1W
02 Jun 2026Belgium0 — 2L
18.11.2024CroatiavsPortugal1 — 1
05.09.2024PortugalvsCroatia2 — 1
08.06.2024PortugalvsCroatia1 — 2
17.11.2020CroatiavsPortugal2 — 3
05.09.2020PortugalvsCroatia4 — 1
Key Players
Portugal
Cristiano RonaldoSTAl-Nassr · 215+ caps · 135 G · Captain
Bruno FernandesAMMan United · 80+ caps · 30 G
Bernardo SilvaAMMan City · 95+ caps
Rafael LeãoLWAC Milan · 30+ caps
VitinhaCMPSG · 30+ caps
Croatia
Luka ModrićCMAC Milan · 185+ caps · 27 G · Captain
Mateo KovačićCMMan City · 100+ caps
Joško GvardiolCBMan City · 35+ caps
Andrej KramarićSTHoffenheim · 100+ caps · 30 G
Injuries
Portugal
None reported
Croatia
None reported
Venue · Context
Stadium: BMO Field
Capacity: 45,000
Toronto's BMO Field, expanded for the tournament, is an open-air ground with mild early-summer conditions that suit a high tempo.
Portugal
2–1
Croatia
