Goncalo Ramos netted a 94th-minute goal after Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first-ever World Cup knockout goal, allowing Portugal to come from behind and defeat Croatian defenders to head in from an excellent Rafael Leao cross, and an exciting match seemed destined for extra time, advancing to the last 16.
Second-half substitute Ramos leaped over two Croatia defenders to head in from an excellent Rafael Leao cross as an exciting match seemed destined for extra-time.
Josko Gvardiol believed he had saved Croatia when he scored in the 13th minute of stoppage time, but the video assistant referee stepped in, and the goal was disallowed for offside.
Replays indicated that Igor Matanovic made the faintest contact on a cross that subsequently reached Mario Pasalic, who was offside before Gvardiol scored.
Portugal controlled the first half, but Croatia slightly outperformed in a hectic second period.
Ivan Perisic blasted a shot into the corner eight minutes into the second half after Ruben Dias could only partially clear a cross to the far post.
Matanovic, who came on at half-time, believed he had extended Croatia’s advantage just two minutes later with a close-range shot, but the offside flag was raised against his teammate Nikola Vlasic.
Minutes of chaos ensued as Leao struck the crossbar with a curling shot and Ronaldo had a clever lobbed finish disallowed for a close offside.
However, right when it seemed he was about to be substituted, Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee noticed a foul on Renato Veiga during a corner.
Croatia reacted effectively—and following the hydration break, Mateo Kovačić compelled Diogo Costa into making two swift saves before Matanović was denied in a one-on-one situation.
Petar Sucic then sprinted onto a brilliant through ball from Kovacic and calmly slotted it past Costa, but the offside flag was raised yet again.
Ronaldo clearly expressed his dissatisfaction when substituted in the 81st minute, while Veiga and Mario Pasalic both squandered obvious headed chances at each end.
Additional time appeared to be the most just method to conclude the match before Ramos ignited exuberant celebrations.
In the quarter-finals, Portugal will encounter European champions Spain at Dallas Stadium, Texas, on Monday, July 6 (20:00 BST).
