Last updated: July 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup continues after Portugal edged past Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic Round of 32 tie, with a crucial VAR decision denying Croatia a late equaliser and bringing Luka Modric’s international career to an end.
Ivan Perisic gave Croatia the lead in the 53rd minute, before Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot in the 68th minute. Portugal snatched a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time through Goncalo Ramos, sending the Portuguese bench into wild celebrations and sealing a hard-fought passage into the Round of 16.
The result carried extra emotional weight as two of the tournament’s most experienced stars, Ronaldo and Modric, found themselves on opposite ends of the result. While Modric’s remarkable international career draws to a close, Ronaldo’s pursuit of a first World Cup title continues in what is almost certainly his final tournament.
Despite question marks over Portugal’s overall form throughout the group stage, Ronaldo has continued to deliver in crucial moments, and his composed penalty against Croatia kept alive Portugal’s hopes of a first World Cup triumph in the nation’s history.
Portugal advanced to face Spain in the Round of 16, another daunting test for a squad that will need to find another level if Ronaldo’s farewell tournament is to end in glory rather than heartbreak.
Shop the Portugal national team jersey to mark Ronaldo’s continued run, and follow more knockout drama in our 2026 World Cup knockout stage preview.
Portugal won 2-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a penalty and Goncalo Ramos netting a stoppage-time winner.
Portugal advanced to face Spain in the Round of 16 following their win over Croatia.
Luka Modric leaves the World Cup stage as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, a Ballon d’Or winner who guided Croatia to the 2018 final and repeatedly punched above the nation’s weight on football’s biggest stage across multiple tournaments.
Despite a trophy-laden career at club level, the World Cup remains the one major honour missing from Ronaldo’s collection. With Portugal through to face Spain, his final realistic shot at lifting the trophy continues, adding extra weight to every match that follows.
Ronaldo and Modric have shared the pitch in some of football’s biggest matches over the past decade, and this Round of 32 meeting added one final chapter to a rivalry that has spanned Champions League finals, European Championships, and now multiple World Cups.
Ronaldo’s final World Cup chapter continues to be written.
Modric joins a growing list of legendary players bidding farewell to international football at this tournament, a reminder that even as new stars emerge, the World Cup remains the stage where careers are both built and brought to a close.
The story continues in the Round of 16 against Spain.
Every match from here carries championship-defining weight for both stars.
Football fans everywhere are watching closely.
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