Portugal Survive Croatia Scare to Advance: Ronaldo, Ramos, and a Rollercoaster Last 32

It was never going to be clean. Portugal and Croatia have met enough times on the big stage to know that tidy, comfortable victories are a rarity between these two sides. Tuesday's Last 32 encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup lived up to that history — dramatic, nervy, and ultimately decided by a goal that will have Portuguese fans exhaling from Vancouver to Halifax.

The final score: Portugal 2–1 Croatia. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos both got on the scoresheet, but not before Croatia made this thing genuinely uncomfortable. Seldom does a winning team leave the pitch looking half-relieved, but that was the vibe in the Portuguese camp. Croatia, for their part, will feel they gave this everything they had.

How the Game Unfolded

Portugal came into this fixture as the runners-up from Group K, finishing behind Colombia on five points despite an impressive goal difference of plus-five. They hadn't lost a group game, but they hadn't quite hit top gear either — two draws and a single win suggested a team still finding its rhythm. Croatia, meanwhile, were Group L's second-place finishers with six points, having won two and lost one. They were battle-tested and, frankly, dangerous.

The opening half was tight. Reports suggest the sides were level at the break, Croatia's defensive organization frustrating Portugal's attacking talent early on. Ronaldo, Leão, and Bernardo Silva — the attacking spine that makes this Portugal side genuinely scary on their day — found few gaps to exploit in that first period. Croatia, compact and disciplined, looked every bit a side that knew exactly what they were doing.

Then came the shift. Ronaldo opened his knockout-round account at this tournament, reportedly getting Portugal level at a key moment in the contest. It was the kind of goal that reminds you why, at whatever age he's operating at now, you simply cannot write him off. When the big moments arrive, he tends to show up.

Ramos Settles It — Until Croatia Almost Don't Let It Be Settled

Gonçalo Ramos grabbed what proved to be the winner, and his goal came at a point in the match where Portugal needed someone to step forward and make a decision. Ramos has that quality — he's a different animal to Ronaldo, less theatrical but increasingly clinical at the highest level. His go-ahead strike looked, for a spell, like it would be the match-winner without too much drama.

Croatia had other ideas. Reports indicate the Croatians fashioned a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer — or at least came agonizingly close — forcing a frantic closing stretch that had Portuguese supporters watching through their fingers. Whether that chance was ruled out or simply denied, the scoreline held: 2–1 Portugal. Croatia left everything on the pitch. They simply ran out of time.

What It Means for the Tournament Picture

Portugal advance to the Round of 16 proper, still very much in contention. At odds of 15.00 to win the tournament, they sit behind France (2.80), Argentina (5.25), Spain (6.50), England (10.00), and Brazil (11.50) — which tells you the betting market respects their ceiling without quite believing in them as frontrunners. A team with Ronaldo, Ramos, Leão, and Bernardo available is always dangerous in a knockout format, but they'll need to be sharper defensively than they were in spells here.

Croatia, heartbreakingly, are done. For a nation of fewer than four million people, their sustained presence at World Cups over the past decade-plus has been nothing short of remarkable. This Croatian generation — and whatever transition comes next — deserves enormous credit. They were not outclassed today. They were simply edged out.

Where to Bet the Next Round in Canada

With Portugal moving through to the next stage, Canadian fans from Ontario to British Columbia will be looking ahead to what's next. If you're planning to place a bet on Portugal's Round of 16 fixture — or keeping an eye on the overall tournament winner market — make sure you're using a licensed, reputable platform available in your province.

Two solid options worth checking out:

Always verify that your chosen platform is legally available in your province. Ontario's iGaming market, for example, is regulated through iGO — stick to registered operators. Betting information here is for entertainment purposes; nothing on this page constitutes financial advice or a guaranteed outcome.

What Comes Next for Both Sides

Portugal will face a proper test in the Round of 16. The bracket will determine the opponent, but if they maintain their current trajectory — winning without always convincing — they have the individual quality to go deep. The key question is whether Roberto Martínez can get this team playing with more sustained dominance rather than waiting for individual moments to bail them out.

For Croatia, the rebuilding conversation begins. Luka Modrić is not eternal — none of them are — and Croatian football will need to think seriously about what the next chapter looks like. That's a conversation for another day. Today, they gave Portugal everything they had.

FAQ

Final Whistle

Portugal are through. It wasn't always pretty — this rarely is when Croatia are involved — but two goals, one from a legend and one from his heir apparent, were enough to send the Seleção into the next round. The tournament keeps spinning, and Portugal are still in it.

If you're Canadian and following the action, enjoy every minute of this World Cup on home soil. And if you're betting on it, do it responsibly. Set your limits before you start, stick to what you can afford, and remember this is entertainment first. Must be 18+ to bet. If gambling is causing you distress, contact ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 or visit responsiblegambling.org.