Toronto turmoil: 19 minutes of reshape Portugal‑Croatia tie

In a chaotic round‑of‑16 encounter in Toronto on 3 July 2026, Portugal and Croatia were subjected to an unprecedented 19‑minute stretch of added time, during which Goncalo Ramos scored a decisive late goal that secured Portugal’s progression to a quarter‑final against Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time, while Croatia responded through Ivan Perisic at the 53rd minute. A late VAR intervention ruled out a potential Portuguese goal for off‑side, and the final ball of regular time fell to Gvardiol, whose header forced the match into .

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Portugal dominated set‑pieces, earning nine corners, yet Croatia threatened when Diaz rose to meet a cross, only to miss the header. From the right flank, Susic delivered a pinpoint cross to Pasilic, who rose above his marker but headed the ball inches wide; Renato Vega then had his second header of the match, also failing to find the net.

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Ronaldo missed a clear chance and then gestured towards the bench in apparent frustration, while Portugal’s goalkeeper Costa twice denied Croatia a lead, first by deflecting Kovacic’s sharp shot onto the post and then by saving the ensuing rebound. A penalty was awarded to Portugal, but VAR ruled out Ronaldo’s first knockout‑stage goal for a marginal off‑side. The win sends Portugal to a quarter‑final against Spain. Sport editor Maarten Teunisse noted the unusual length of stoppage time.