Portugal edges past Croatia 2-1 in 2026 World Cup Round of 32
On July 3, 2026, Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 win against Croatia in the Round of 32 at BMO Field in Toronto. This marked the first-ever meeting between these two nations at a World Cup and their 11th encounter overall. Portugal held a historical advantage with 7 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss coming into the match, and they proved their mettle when it mattered most.
How both teams fared in the group stage
Portugal entered the knockout stage with mixed results: a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, a dominant 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, and a 0-0 stalemate with Colombia. In the Uzbekistan match, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, while Mendes, Leão, and an own goal from goalkeeper Nematov added to the tally. Croatia, meanwhile, suffered a 2-4 loss to England but bounced back with a 1-0 win over Panama and a 2-1 victory against Ghana, with goals from Baturina, Musa, Budimir, Petar Sučić, and Vlašić.
The match started with intensity. In the 4th minute, Bruno Fernandes tested Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, who made a save. Both teams created chances throughout the game. Ivan Perišić opened the scoring for Croatia in the 53rd minute, heading in a cross from Josip Stanišić. Portugal equalized in the 68th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo, at age 41, calmly converted a penalty. Deep into stoppage time, in the 90+4th minute, Gonçalo Ramos rose to head home a cross, sealing the win for Portugal. Notably, a goal from Ronaldo in the 61st minute was disallowed for offside, as were efforts from Igor Matanović and Petar Sučić for similar infractions.
This match was part of a broader Round of 32 slate. On the same day, Morocco defeated the Netherlands on penalties, and Canada beat South Africa 1-0 thanks to a 90+2nd-minute goal from Stephen Eustáquio. The next match—Canada vs. Morocco—is scheduled for July 4 in Houston, USA.
With this victory, Portugal advances in the tournament and reinforces its status as a World Cup favorite. The result highlights the strength of the Portuguese squad, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains a pivotal figure despite his age. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining how far Portugal can go in this championship.
As Portugal celebrated their thrilling victory, the anticipation for the next round heightened. Fans and analysts alike had speculated on this encounter, with many predicting Portugal's advantage over Croatia prior to the match. This context adds depth to the excitement surrounding Portugal's progression in the tournament.