How Portugal coach Martinez’s substitution gamble paid off in dramatic fashion | FIFA World Cup 2026
Roberto Martinez's bold second-half changes sparked Portugal's 2-1 comeback win over Croatia in a tense World Cup Round of 32 match, with Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos scoring the goals
In a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter, Portugal secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Croatia, with former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić facing off in what is likely Modrić's final World Cup match. Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perišić, but Portugal equalised via a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty in the 68th minute. The decisive moment came in the fourth minute of stoppage time when substitute Gonçalo Ramos scored a header
In a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter, Portugal secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Croatia, with former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić facing off in what is likely Modrić's final World Cup match. Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perišić, but Portugal equalised via a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty in the 68th minute. The decisive moment came in the fourth minute of stoppage time when substitute Gonçalo Ramos scored a header
In a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter, Portugal secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Croatia, with former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić facing off in what is likely Modrić's final World Cup match. Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perišić, but Portugal equalised via a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty in the 68th minute. The decisive moment came in the fourth minute of stoppage time when substitute Gonçalo Ramos scored a header
It was billed as one of the most heavyweight clashes of the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far, with former Real Madrid mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric pitted against each other in what would be the last World Cup match for one.
The dramatic Round of 32 encounter surely lived up to its billing, with Portugal edging Croatia 2-1 in Toronto after high drama on the pitch. A dramatic stoppage-time header from substitute Goncalo Ramos and a clinical penalty from Ronaldo spurred the Portuguese to another thriller – the last-16 clash with Spain. This after Ivan Perisic expertly controlled a pass from Josip Stanisic and coolly finished at the far post in the 53rd minute of the match to put Croatia ahead.
The match ended in controversy as Croatia appeared to have snatched an equaliser in the final seconds, leaving Ronaldo looking distraught on the bench. However, a video assistant referee (VAR) review ruled the goal offside, confirming Portugal’s win and prompting frustrated Croatian supporters to throw bottles and other objects onto the pitch.
In fact, VAR played a huge role in the final result, disallowing two other goals, one each for either side. Portugal’s penalty, too, was confirmed after a VAR review. Nikola Vlasic had an effort ruled out for offside for Croatia, while Ronaldo saw a clever chip over goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic chalked off for the same reason.
The second half was a pulsating, back-and-forth affair that truly brought the game to life. Portugal found their way back into the match in the 68th minute. After Renato Veiga was pulled down in the area by Nikola Vlasic, the referee pointed to the spot. Ronaldo, who at 41 became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout stage, stepped up and fired the penalty straight down the middle. It was his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout game.
With the match seemingly destined for extra time, substitute Ramos became the hero. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, he rose highest among the Croatian defenders to connect with a cross and head home the decisive winner.
Portugal controlled possession in the first half but struggled to create clear-cut chances on a warm evening. Ronaldo, who was greeted with heavy boos from Croatia fans whenever he touched the ball, couldn't connect with an early Pedro Neto cross, and another opportunity went begging from a Joao Cancelo delivery. The score remained tied 0-0 at half time.
Martinez makes four changes, and then substitutes Ronaldo too
Croatia, finalists in 2018 and third-place finishers in 2022, looked set to take the game to extra time, but Martinez had other plans.
Soon after conceding the goal, the Portugal coach went for some bold changes to break down Zlatko Dalić's disciplined Croatia. He completely revamped the midfield and frontline in a rare four-player substitution between the 61st and 62nd minutes. A composed and experienced Bernardo Silva replaced Vitinha, Francisco Conceição came on for Pedro Neto to add pace out wide, Nélson Semedo replaced Bruno Fernandes and Ramos replaced full-back João Cancelo, to take the attack to the opposition.
The shift disturbed Croatia's tactical rhythm, and the pressure paid off when defender Renato Veiga was dragged down in the penalty area by Vlasic during a corner. Following a formal VAR review, a penalty was awarded, which Ronaldo converted.
In the 80th minute, came another stunning change from Martinez, with Ronaldo subbed off in favour of Rúben Neves. With extra-time and penalities looming large, the changes surprised many. But, in the fourth minute of stoppage time (90+4'), Martinez was proved right as winger Rafael Leao delivered a curling cross into the penalty area, with Ramos rising above Croatia’s Josip Sutalo and Marin Pongracic, to head the winner past Dominik Livakovic.
There was late drama again, as the match went beyond the additional 10 minutes because of VAR interventions and Portugal’s goal celebration. Defender Josko Gvardiol managed to turn the ball into the net for what looked to be a last-gasp Croatian equaliser. However, a lengthy VAR review confirmed that he was in an offside position, breaking Croatian hearts.
Portugal will now take on heavyweights Spain in the Round of 16 clash on July 6.