PERIŠIĆ SCORES FOR CROATIA

Croatia's World Cup journey ends as Portugal edge through to the Round of 16

03.07.2026.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

The Croatia national team faced Portugal in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but an intense and closely contested encounter in Toronto ultimately went Portugal's way thanks to a stoppage-time winner.

PORTUGAL 2-1 CROATIA (0-0)

2026 FIFA World Cup, Round of 16
Toronto Stadium, Toronto

Referee: E. Eskas (Norway)

Goals: 0-1 Perišić (53'), 1-1 Ronaldo (68' pen), 2-1 Ramos (90+4')

Yellow cards: Dias (17'), Modrić (59'), Perišić (90+8')

Portugal: Costa, Mendes, Dias, Veiga, Cancelo (62' Ramos), Fernandes (62' Semedo), Vitinha (62' B. Silva), J. Neves, Neto (62' Conceicao), Leao, Ronaldo (81' R. Neves).
Head coach: R. Martinez.

Croatia: Livaković, Perišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Stanišić, Modrić, Kovačić (90+6' Kramarić), P. Sučić, Baturina (68' Mario Pašalić), Vlašić (90+2' Gvardiol), Budimir (46' Matanović).
Head coach: Z. Dalić.

Having finished second in Group L, the Vatreni returned to Toronto for their World Cup Round of 16 clash with Portugal, with a quarter-final meeting against Spain in Dallas awaiting the winner.

Portugal enjoyed more possession and control during the first half, while goalkeeper Livaković once again stood out with two important saves. Croatia, however, started the second half strongly and were rewarded in the 53rd minute. Stanišić delivered a cross, and vice-captain Perišić controlled the ball before beating the Portuguese goalkeeper to put Croatia ahead.

Portugal responded through Leao, who struck the crossbar, before Costa denied Petar Sučić at the other end. In the 68th minute, Ronaldo converted a penalty to level the score.

The lively Kovačić threatened twice, but Portugal were rescued by both their goalkeeper and the woodwork. Matanović also came close, while Veiga and Mario Pašalić both had opportunities before stoppage time.

The decisive moment arrived in the fourth minute of added time. Leao delivered a cross into the box and Ramos rose highest to head home for a 2-1 lead.

Deep into an extended period of stoppage time, Gvardiol found the net and it appeared the drama would continue. However, Mario Pašalić was judged offside in the build-up, the goal was disallowed, and Portugal's celebrations could begin.

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