Portugal beats Croatia 2-1 as Ronaldo scores first World Cup knockout goal and Modric exits
Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty for his first ever World Cup knockout goal and Gonçalo Ramos headed a stoppage-time winner as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto, ending Luka Modric's World Cup career on the first anniversary of Diogo Jota's death.
Match summary
Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in the round of 16 at BMO Field in Toronto, with 43,036 fans watching a dramatic second half. Ivan Perišić put Croatia ahead in the 53rd minute, finishing a cross from Josip Stanišić. Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot in the 68th minute after Renato Veiga was fouled at a corner. Substitute Gonçalo Ramos headed the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Croatia thought they had forced extra time when they scored in the 13th minute of added time, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
- Bruno Fernandes shot saved by Livaković
- Renato Veiga heads over from a corner
- Mateo Kovačić shot tipped wide by Diogo Costa
- Ivan Perišić scores for Croatia (1-0)
- Ronaldo goal disallowed for offside
- Ronaldo converts penalty (1-1)
- Ronaldo substituted
- Gonçalo Ramos heads winner (2-1)
- Croatia goal disallowed for offside
Ronaldo's milestone
Ronaldo's penalty was his first goal in a World Cup knockout match, coming in his ninth such appearance. The 41-year-old now has 11 goals in 26 World Cup games. Minutes earlier, he had a spectacular goal disallowed for offside in the 61st minute, controlling a long pass from Pedro Neto and flicking it past goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. Ronaldo was substituted in the 80th minute, visibly unhappy, but was later named man of the match.
It was a crazy battle. In the final minutes I'm there when we need a goal.
Modric's farewell
The defeat likely ends the World Cup career of Luka Modrić, 40, who was a runner-up in 2018 and third in 2022. Modrić and Ronaldo were teammates at Real Madrid for six years. In 11 head-to-head meetings between the two, Modrić has never won. Modrić's 202nd international cap may also be his last, though he has not confirmed his retirement.
Emotional backdrop
The match fell on the first anniversary of the death of former Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car accident on 3 July 2025 at age 29. Portugal dedicated their World Cup campaign to Jota. Coach Roberto Martínez said his team wanted to win the tournament for their former teammate.
We want to win the World Cup for our former teammate.
What's next
Portugal advance to a quarter-final against European champions Spain on Monday (21:00 CEST) in Dallas. Ronaldo's sister had said he plans to end his national team career after the tournament, but the player himself has not confirmed.
