Ronaldo breaks his knockout duck as Ramos sinks Croatia at the death

Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 at BMO Field in a night of high drama, Goncalo Ramos heading a stoppage-time winner after Cristiano Ronaldo had 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 when he converted a penalty on 68 minutes — his first-ever goal at this stage after years of frustration — before Ramos, his replacement, won it deep into added time. For Croatia, and for 40-year-old Luka Modric in his final World Cup, it was a heartbreaking end.

Match summary: Perisic strikes, Ronaldo answers, Ramos wins it

Croatia led on 53 minutes through Ivan Perisic, rewarding a composed start. Portugal's response hinged on a VAR review that penalised a Vlasic foul on Veiga, and Ronaldo stepped up to convert the penalty on 68 minutes — his 11th World Cup goal and, at last, his first in a knockout after 29 shots across eight goalless knockout games. Substituted on 81 minutes, Ronaldo watched as Ramos climbed above two defenders to head home a Leao cross at 90+4 for the winner. There was late chaos when a Croatia equaliser was disallowed for the faintest of offsides after a VAR check, prompting objects to be thrown onto the pitch, but the goal stood ruled out and Portugal held on.

History for Ronaldo, farewell for Modric

The milestones were remarkable: Ronaldo's knockout duck, a source of endless debate, finally broken at 41, his tally moving him level with Klinsmann and Kocsis among the World Cup's great marksmen. Yet the hero was Ramos, the man who replaced him, a reminder of Portugal's depth. For Croatia it was the end of an era — 2018 finalists, third in 2022 — and for Modric, at 40 and playing his last World Cup, a poignant farewell as he acknowledged the fans after defeat. Questions will linger over Portugal's reliance on an overworked Ronaldo, but they are through.

Portugal to meet Spain in an Iberian derby

Portugal advance to a Round of 16 showdown with Spain — an Iberian derby — on July 6 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. It is the tie of the round, neighbours and rivals meeting with the quarter-finals beckoning. Portugal will need to be at their best against a Spain side in imperious form, but nights like this, won on character and at the death, can define a campaign. Croatia's golden generation bows out.