Portugal vs Croatia World Cup Match Updates | 2026 FIFA World Cup | Portugal vs Croatia
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Kartik Theke Mathematics
Published: Jul 3, 2026 04:13 IST
Updated: Jul 3, 2026 06:53 EST.
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Portugal and Croatia will meet in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages, with the winners meeting Spain in the preliminary quarter-finals.
Portugal qualified for the knockout stages as runners-up in Group K and went undefeated.
Croatia, who are second in Group L, have two wins and one defeat, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will go head to head in this match.
The Portuguese celebrate their victory. Photo: COLE BURSTON / AFP
TORONTO – Portugal came back from behind to advance to the preliminary quarters of the FIFA World Cup. Portugal defeated Croatia 2:1. When Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perisic in the 53rd minute, Portugal responded with Cristiano Ronaldo (68, penalties) and Gonzalo Ramos (90+4). However, Portugal and Spain will meet in the pre-quarter match on July 7. After the first half of the match ended goalless, three goals were scored in the second half.
Goalless first half
Croatian Ante Budimir entered the game in the third minute. After this, the Croatian national team goalkeeper blocked the shot of Portugal player Bruno Fernandes. Vittinha in the 4th minute and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 13th also tried to score, but missed the target. In the first minutes of the match, Portugal did not take any action to protect the goal, but control of the ball was clear. But Croatia responded with beautiful passing combinations. After a hydration break, Portuguese star Joao Cancelo’s cross missed strikers Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo. In the 34th minute, Portugal star Nuno Mendes’ corner kick from Rafael Liao missed the target. In the 40th minute, Bruno Fernandes brought the ball into the Croatian penalty area through a corner, but no one was able to hit the goal. Four minutes of extra time were allowed in the first half.
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Rich second half
Croatia withdrew Budimir early in the second half and replaced him with Igor Matanovic. In the 48th minute, Croatian Mateo Kovacic’s shot was saved by Portugal goalkeeper Diego Costa. In the 49th minute, Luka Modric’s corner was saved by the Portuguese goalkeeper. Croatia created two chances within five minutes of the second half, giving Portugal clear indications of the direction the game was heading. Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perisic in the 53rd minute. Josip Stanisic crossed the ball from the right corner outside the penalty area and Ivan Perisic scored. In the 56th minute, Nikola Vlašić scored against Croatia, but the offside flag was raised. In the 58th minute, Portugal’s Rafael Leo’s shot hit the crossbar. Soon after, Cristiano Ronaldo was called offside when scoring for Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring a goal. Photo: COLE BURSTON / AFP
In the 62nd minute, Portugal made four changes to the team. Gonzalo Ramos, Bernardo Silva, Nelson Semedo and Francisco Conceicao entered the field. The penalty was awarded by the referee after Croatia’s Vlasic brought down a Portugal defender during a corner kick. Cristiano Ronaldo beat Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic and sent the ball into the net. Score 1–1. In the 75th minute, Croatian goalkeeper Mateo Kovacic’s shot was saved by the Portuguese goalkeeper. In the 81st minute, Portugal removed Cristiano Ronaldo from the field and replaced Ruben Neves.
In the 87th minute of the match, Renato Veiga’s attempt to give Portugal the lead with his header from Nuno Mendes’ corner missed the target. The referee allowed 10 minutes of injury time in the second half. Gonzalo Ramos from Portugal scored the team’s second goal in the 90+4th minute. Rafael Liao sent the ball into the penalty area and Ramos headed the ball into the post. Portugal is ahead. At 90+13 minutes, the Croatian hit the net again, but the referee, after a combat check, ruled Mario Pasalic offside. Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate the final whistle of the match. A disappointing return for Croatia and Luka Modric.
English summary:
Live broadcast of the 2026 FIFA World Cup match, Portugal – Croatia
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