Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal before Gonçalo Ramos’ stoppage-time winner earned Portugal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia.

Portugal survived a huge scare to book their place in the FIFA World Cup round of 16, fighting back from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 in dramatic fashion in Toronto.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match before Gonçalo Ramos struck deep into stoppage time to set up an all-timer vs Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo ✨#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/cDkBhF1jzy

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 3, 2026

Roberto Martinez’s side dominated from the opening whistle and should have taken the lead inside four minutes, only for Dominik Livaković to produce a stunning save to deny Bruno Fernandes after a lightning-fast counterattack.

Portugal continued to pile on the pressure, while Croatia offered little in response apart from an early Ante Budimir header that drifted harmlessly wide.

Cristiano Ronaldo fired a free-kick into the wall before Renato Veiga squandered a glorious headed opportunity.

Portugal controlled nearly 70 percent of possession and created several more chances, with Fernandes and Ronaldo both coming close from a dangerous cross into the box.

However, Rafael Leão’s wasteful stoppage-time effort summed up a frustrating first half as the sides went into the break level.

Portugal threatened again immediately after the restart through Nuno Mendes, but it was Croatia who struck first.

Ivan Perišić arrived unmarked at the back post to fire beyond Diogo Costa, becoming Croatia’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer by surpassing the legendary Davor Šuker.

The match exploded into life after Croatia’s opener. Costa made an excellent save to deny Petar Sučić, while an offside flag spared Portugal from conceding a second. At the other end, Leão crashed a spectacular effort against the crossbar before Ronaldo thought he had equalised, only for his finish to be ruled out for a marginal offside.

Martinez responded by making four substitutions just after the hour mark, a bold decision that transformed the contest.

Moments later, Veiga was brought down inside the penalty area by Nikola Vlašić, allowing Ronaldo to step up and calmly send Livaković the wrong way from the spot for his first World Cup knockout goal.

🇵🇹 Portugal have qualified for the Round of 16!#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 3, 2026

Croatia refused to surrender and nearly regained the lead when Mateo Kovačić struck the post before Sučić had another goal ruled out for offside. Ronaldo was substituted to mixed reactions from the crowd, while Mario Pašalić somehow failed to hit the target with a golden opportunity as normal time drew to a close.

Portugal finally found the decisive breakthrough deep into stoppage time when Gonçalo Ramos rose highest to guide Rafael Leão’s cross into the net.

A late winner sends Portugal into the Round of 16! 👏#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 3, 2026

Josko Gvardiol appeared to force extra time moments later, but another offside decision spared Portugal, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory.

The result extends Portugal’s unbeaten competitive record against Croatia and sends them into a blockbuster quarter-final clash against Spain.