Portugal vs Croatia HIGHLIGHTS, FIFA World Cup 2026: POR win 2-1 after CRO goal disallowed by VAR

Sandip G, The Indian Express' man on the ground in USA and Mexico for the FIFA World Cup, has this to write about Portugal vs Croatia encounter.

In his most euphoric moment, Cristiano Ronaldo did not forget his two old friends, Luka Modric and Diogo Jota.  Ater the 20 minutes of a stoppage time, filled with nerve-shredding drama, every possible shade of emotion exhausted, with Portugal beating Croatia 2-1 to the round of 16, Ronaldo wrapped Modric in a deep embrace. He whispered something in his ears, he held his face like a brother would and wiped a drop of tear off Modric. In that poignant moment of brotherhood, the relevance of the result blurred. 

Shortly, he went to the pitch-side dugout and changed to a jersey of  Diogo Jota, the Portuguese forward who died tragically in a car crash last year, and winked at the skies, offering a silent prayer. It was perhaps the most emotional day in Ronaldo's career. 

“First half we dominated the game. In second half after the goal we get a little bit panic, but this is football,” Ronaldo said after the win. “After the penalty, I think it was a little bit better for us. We created a few chances and I think at the end of the day we deserved to win the match.”

109 pulsating minutes later, Portugal have prevailed over Croatia by a 2-1 margin! And you have a feeling that the Croatians will be livid about that last-gasp goal being disallowed for offside!

This is probably the last we have seen of Luka Modric at the World Cup stage! Ronaldo meanwhile will have another run in the sun in USA.

We're in the 111th minute of this game and Portugal have a shot at goal which almost sneaks in! On the sidelines Ronaldo is on his feet exhorting the officials to blow the whistle!

Croatia have started to dominate possession now. they just look a different team than what we saw in the first half. And the ref has decided to add 10 MORE MINUTES TO THE GAME!

If we cannot find a winner in those 10 mins, we'll have extra time and then maybe penalty shootouts (and no Ronaldo in any of it)!

Kovacic has two chances to score! The first shot collides with the woodwork! And Diogo Costa, minutes after he had denied Matanovic, pulls off another save off Kovacic!

After 77 minutes in Toronto, Portugal 1-1 Croatia

Nuno Mendes's corner is almost turned into the goal by Rafael Leao! that was a close chance! And right after wards, Ronaldo scores, only to see the linesman rule it offside.

A minute after that offside call, Roberto Martinez makes four changes!

FRANCISCO CONCEICAO (in) | PEDRO NETO (out)

NELSON SEMEDO (in) | BRUNO FERNANDES (out)

BERNARDO SILVA (in) | VITINHA (out)

GONCALO RAMOS (in) | JOAO CANCELO (out)

Leao shoots the ball at the Croatian goal in response to their opening goal. And it thuds into the crossbar! What a chance for Portugal!

POR 0-1 CRO

After having just three attempts on goal in the first half (compared to Portugal's nine), Croatia have started the second half brightly!

Kovacic barges into the Portuguese box slaloming past tackles and his shot is turned wide by Diogo Costa for Croatia's first corner of the game.

Nothing comes off it. But a bright start for Croatia!

After 45 minutes, no goals at Toronto. Portugal came closest to breaking the deadlock in that first half, with Bruno Fernandes getting the best chance of the game so far. Croatia have hardly created anything this half. All Portugal attackers swarming around the Croatian box. Thankfully for Croatia, Portugal have not managed to convert after creating.

HALF-TIME: POR 0-0 CRO

Ronaldo! What a chance! Neto gets the ball on the right flank and then crosses. Two Portugal players are in the 6-yard box. But neither can make any contact with the ball. What a chance that was.

After 30 minites, POR 0-0 CRO

No goals yet, but the Croatian players have been very disciplined off the ball. they're organising themselves in neat lines of five and four players, and are holding the line well. So far, a quiet evening for Ronaldo. barring the freekick, he's not had much to do.

Still goalless in Toronto after 20 minutes.

What a sensational cross from Portugal's midfielder from the right flank. About three players rise in the air to meet it, including Ronaldo and the Croatian keeper. None of them manage to get even a hair's touch on the ball.

Portugal have started the game with an intensity bordering on desperation. Third gear football from them.

After 11 minutes, POR 0-0 CRO

An early chance for Croatia and we are just in the third minute of the game. Croatia build form the left flank, before a through ball is sent into the edge of the box. Vlasic runs on to it and lays a cross for Budimir, whose shot is really tame and easily gathered.

After 3 minutes, POR 0-0 CRO

Here we go! Both sets of players are out for the national anthems. And it's Portugal's that is being played out first up. it's a game whose winner takes on Spain, who have just secured a spot in the last 16 with a 3-0 victory.

When Portugal take on Croatia today it will be a reunion for old Real Madrid mates, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

But they will not be the only players to have shared a locker room in club football.

Portugal's Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes (formerly Bernardo Silva) play alongside Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic at Manchester City.

Goncalo Guedes, Luka Sucic and Duje Caleta-Car share a dressing room at Real Sociedad, and Luka Modric plays alongside Rafael Leao at AC Milan.

Messi vs Ronaldo, a statistical breakdown at FIFA World Cup 2026:

Goals: 6 vs 2

Assists: 0 vs 0

Attempts on Target: 9 vs 6

Attempts on Goal: 15 vs 13

Attempts on Goal (conversion rate): 40% vs 15%

Attempts from Inside Penalty Area: 7 vs 11

Attempts from outside Penalty Area: 8 vs 2

Here's a list of the top goal scorers at this year's FIFA World Cup

6 goals: Kylian Mbappe (FRA), Lionel Messi (ARG)

5 goals: Erling Haaland (NOR) , Harry Kane (ENG)

4 goals: Ousmane Dembele (FRA), Vinicius Junior (BRA), Ismaila Sarr (SEN)

In the previous entry (scroll down to read it), Sandip G, The Indian Express' man on the ground in the US and Mexico for the World Cup made a case for Ronaldo to be dropped to the bench by Roberto Martinez. But Ronaldo's great rival Lionel Messi is currently leading the Golden Boot race. How is he doing it?

Here's Sriram Veera's explanation:

Watch the record-breaking goal against Austria. Messi receives wide, near the touchline, with two Austrian defenders close. He does not dribble or run, playing it first time to the other side of the pitch, creating a four versus two, already moving to the near post before the ball leaves his foot. Every defender in that block had already shifted towards him. That fear created the space on the other side. Messi standing still in the right place is the most dangerous thing happening on a football pitch.

Most players run and then deal with the ball. Messi runs as though the ball is not there, as though controlling it costs nothing, takes nothing from the stride. At full pace he moves the way other players move when unburdened. The ball simply accompanies him.

Read Sriram Veera's piece on Messi

Here are Cristiano Ronaldo's stats for the ongoing FIFA World Cup: two goals, zero assists, 300 minutes played over three games.

Should Ronaldo fans be worried?

"We are talking about players (Ronaldo and Modric) who are above public opinion. They are world icons. The longevity they carry makes them special. Luka Modric, at over 40 years old, continues to play many games. It is the same as our captain, Cristiano Ronaldo," the Spaniard told reporters.

"Age is just a number. What matters is what they do and the importance they have as an example in the dressing room. Modric is an example for millions of athletes and new generations of footballers."

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash between Portugal and Croatia.