Ronaldo Scores First World Cup Knockout Goal as Portugal Edges Croatia in VAR Thriller

Portugal has advanced to the next round of the FIFA World Cup after a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Croatia, a match that saw Cristiano Ronaldo score his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout stage. The dramatic encounter was decided in stoppage time, with further controversy arising from a late VAR intervention.

Ronaldo’s historic goal came in the 68th minute from the penalty spot. The Portuguese superstar, playing in his ninth World Cup knockout game, had seen an earlier effort ruled out for offside. The penalty was awarded after VAR intervention identified a foul on Nikola Vlasic by Renato Veiga.

The match was ultimately settled by Goncalo Ramos, who headed home Rafael Leao’s cross in the dying moments of the game to secure Portugal’s progression.

Ronaldo’s Substitution and Emotional Reaction

Despite scoring his milestone goal, Ronaldo was substituted in the 80th minute, a decision that appeared to visibly displease the veteran forward. He was seen shaking hands with coach Roberto Martinez and teammates, but his reaction suggested a deep emotional response to potentially leaving the World Cup stage. This substitution came shortly after his significant personal achievement.

Croatia’s Fight and VAR Controversy

Croatia had earlier equalized through Ivan Perisic in the 53rd minute. The defining moment of controversy, however, came in the 103rd minute when Josko Gvardiol appeared to have scored an equalizer. The goal was initially allowed but disallowed after a VAR review utilizing a “snick-o-meter.” The technology indicated that the ball had brushed Igor Matanovic, making Gvardiol offside. This decision, based on a minimal touch, proved decisive and heartbreaking for the Croatian side.

Match Overview and Key Moments

The first half saw limited clear-cut chances, though Portugal had opportunities through Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo. The second half intensified, with Croatia starting stronger. Perisic’s goal put them ahead before Ronaldo’s penalty leveled the score. A flurry of chances followed for both teams before Ramos’s late winner.

The Athletic’s analysis highlighted the mixed performance of Goncalo Ramos, noting his talent but also a perceived diffidence. His previous World Cup hat-trick against Switzerland had not led to a sustained career surge. However, his late goal against Croatia could mark a turning point.

Key facts
| Feature | Detail |
|—|—|
| Match | Portugal vs. Croatia, FIFA World Cup Round of 32 |
| Final Score | Portugal 2 – 1 Croatia |
| Key Scorers | Cristiano Ronaldo (PEN), Goncalo Ramos (POR); Ivan Perisic (CRO) |
| Notable Events | Ronaldo’s first World Cup knockout goal, late VAR decision disallowing Croatia equalizer |

This development matters to FootballGames10 readers as it features a significant moment for one of the sport’s most iconic players, Cristiano Ronaldo, in a major tournament. The dramatic nature of the match, including late goals and VAR controversy, provides engaging content for football fans following the World Cup.

Source: The Athletic Football – Cristiano Ronaldo scores first World Cup knockout goal, substituted as VAR spike denies Croatia – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7408489/2026/07/02/portugal-v-croatia-cristiano-ronaldo-highlights/

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