If you blinked during the closing minutes of Portugal vs Croatia, you probably missed one of the wildest finishes of the tournament. What started as a cagey, goalless first half exploded into a rollercoaster second half packed with goals, VAR reviews, and a moment of magic from Cristiano Ronaldo.
By the time the referee blew the final whistle, Portugal had scraped through 2-1, but not before Croatia gave them every reason to sweat.
Key Takeaways From the Match
- Portugal dominated possession and chances but struggled to convert early on
- Ivan Perisic gave Croatia a surprise lead in the 52nd minute
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal via penalty
- Goncalo Ramos’s stoppage-time header proved to be the winner
- A last-gasp Croatia goal was disallowed by VAR for offside
- Portugal wins 2-1 and advances to the Round of 16
A Quiet First Half, But Portugal Dominated
The opening 45 minutes of Portugal vs Croatia didn’t produce a goal, but that doesn’t mean nothing happened. Portugal controlled the tempo from the first whistle, dictating possession and forcing Croatia into a defensive shape for most of the half.
Here’s how the numbers stacked up:
| Stat | Portugal | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 69% | 31% |
| Shots | 9 | 3 |
| Shots on Target | 1 | 1 |
| Corners | 6 | 0 |
| Total Passes | 335 | 153 |
| Passing Accuracy | 93% | 83% |
Despite the dominance, clinical finishing was missing. Ruben Dias picked up a yellow card in the 17th minute, and both sides tested the goalkeepers early — Budimir for Croatia and Bruno Fernandes for Portugal — but neither could find the breakthrough.
The Second Half Turns Into a Thriller
This is where Portugal vs Croatia truly came alive.
Croatia struck first. In the 52nd minute, Ivan Perisic found himself completely unmarked and slotted home to give Croatia a shock 1-0 lead — their first real moment of the match, and it counted.
Portugal responded almost immediately. Rafael Leao unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box just five minutes later, only to see it crash off the crossbar. The Croatian defense would have breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Then came the moment every Ronaldo fan was waiting for.
- 60th minute: Ronaldo chipped the keeper after a cross — ruled offside.
- 64th minute: VAR review confirms a penalty for Portugal.
- 67th minute: Ronaldo steps up and scores, netting his first-ever knockout stage goal at a FIFA World Cup.
That penalty leveled the match and shifted the momentum firmly in Portugal’s favor.
Stoppage Time Chaos
Just when it looked like the game would end 1-1, Portugal vs Croatia delivered one final twist.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Rafael Leao whipped in a pinpoint cross, and Goncalo Ramos rose highest to head Portugal in front, 2-1.
Croatia weren’t done yet. Ivan Perisic picked up a late yellow card for fouling Ruben Dias, and in the 12th minute of stoppage time, Croatia thought they’d equalized. The stadium erupted — until VAR stepped in again. After a lengthy review, the goal was ruled out for offside, and the scoreline stood at 2-1.
Final Result: Portugal Advances
When the whistle finally blew, Portugal held on to win 2-1, sending Croatia home and booking their spot in the Round of 16.
It was a match that had everything: a defensive first half, a Croatian shock, a Ronaldo redemption story, and enough VAR drama to keep fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second.
Also Read: Portugal Just Got the Hardest Bracket in their Road to the Fifa World Cup Finals — Here’s Why
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won the Portugal vs Croatia match?
Portugal won the match 2-1, with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos securing their place in the Round of 16.
Who scored for Croatia in the Portugal vs Croatia game?
Ivan Perisic scored Croatia’s only goal in the 52nd minute after being left unmarked inside the box.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo score in the Portugal vs Croatia match?
Yes, Ronaldo converted a 67th-minute penalty, marking his first-ever knockout stage goal at a FIFA World Cup.
Was there a VAR controversy in Portugal vs Croatia?
Absolutely. Two goals were reviewed by VAR — Ronaldo’s early effort was ruled offside, and Croatia’s stoppage-time equalizer was also disallowed for offside.
What was the possession stat in Portugal vs Croatia?
Portugal dominated possession with 69% compared to Croatia’s 31%, reflecting their control for most of the match.
I’m a football writer, covering top leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1. I write about match analysis, football news, tactics, and major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, delivering clear, engaging insights for fans.
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