Goncalo Ramos scores late as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1

Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot before Goncalo Ramos headed in a stoppage-time winner as Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1. Croatia's late equaliser was ruled out after a VAR review, ending Luka Modric's World Cup campaign

Toronto: Goncalo Ramos headed home a cross from Rafael Leao in stoppage time as Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier converted a penalty, watched from the bench while Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 on Thursday, ending Luka Modric’s fifth bid for a World Cup title.

Ronaldo had equalised in the 68th minute with a penalty, scoring his first knockout-stage goal at a World Cup, before Ramos sealed Portugal’s victory.

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The match ended in controversy as Croatia thought it had equalised at 2-2 in the closing moments, but Mario Pasalic was ruled offside following a VAR review and the goal was disallowed. Croatia fans threw bottles onto the field and whistled in protest.

Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute when Ivan Perisic scored from a cross by Josip Stanisic.

Portugal will now face Spain on Monday in the Round of 16.

Modric led Croatia to second- and third-place finishes in 2018 and 2022 but could not guide his team any further this time.