Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream has survived in controversial fashion. He helped the Portuguese team hit back after a goal to beat Croatia 2-1 and force a last-16 draw with Spain.
VAR denied Josko Gvardiol the chance to be a hero for Croatia despite Manchester City scoring a goal. As regulation time reached 113 minutes, a second-half substitute hit a home run to make it 2-2.
The goal was ruled offside after Igor Matanovic touched Ivan Perisic’s cross, despite assistant Mario Pasalic’s ball deflecting off Portugal’s Renato Veiga. Following Premier League referee Jarred Gillet’s recommendation to check the field, on-field referee Espen Eskaas decided to rule out the goal.
Essentially the last kick of the game capped a whirlwind second half with Croatia taking the lead through Ivan Perisic. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been rumored before the game that he was preparing to retire from the national team if they lost, scored the equalizer with a penalty kick. The goal was to become the first five-time Ballon d’Or winner to win the World Cup knockout stages.
The 41-year-old was sent off as a substitute for Roberto Martinez with the game still well underway, but Ronaldo was able to watch in glee as Goncalo Ramos deflected a sumptuous Rafael Leo cross in added time.
While there was joy for the veteran named Ronaldo, the opposite was true for Croatia captain Luka Modric. The 40-year-old is likely to play in his final World Cup. Portugal are now looking forward to a replay of the 2025 Nations League final, which Ronaldo’s side won against European champions Spain.
More to follow…
Big moments in Toronto…
4: firing! Portugal’s only effort of the first half came after four minutes when Livakovic denied Fernandes early on.
53: target! Perisic started the second half strong and scored the first goal.
57: Offside, no goal! Vlasic poked the ball in, but the linesman’s flag went up immediately. Stanisic was offside while playing on the right flank.
58: At the bar!! Leao steps in and clatters the bar with a HOWITZER! Too close.
61: Ronaldo refused to be equalized! Ronaldo scored, but the celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee’s flag. Although confirmed by VAR, the decision stands.
63: Subscribe! Roberto Martinez made four changes. Fernandes, Neto, Vitinha and Cancelo were all linked with Semedo, Silva, Conceicao and Ramos introduced.
66: Penalty kick for Portugal! After a review, a penalty is awarded after Vlasic brings down Veiga in the area.
68: target! Ronaldo calmly scored his first KO goal in the World Cup.
75: Kovacic hits the post! wow. Costa takes Kovacic’s shot from the edge of the area and heads it onto the post. He quickly returned to Kovacic and tried to attack again, but Costa blocked it again.
80: Offside, no goal! Suchici is the latest player to be denied an equalizer due to an offside flag.
82: Ronaldo has been sent off! Ruben Neves was introduced instead.
90: 10 minutes are added.
90+4: target! Ramos put Portugal ahead after receiving a cross from Leo.
90+14: target! Gvardiol scored off the bench to take the game to overtime.
90+16: Not allowed! Gvardiol’s goal was disallowed after a VAR review ruled out offside.
