Croatia bravely falls in Toronto drama, Portugal in round of 16

The Croatian national football team failed to qualify for the round of 16 of the World Cup after losing to Portugal, who celebrated 2-1 with a goal in the fourth minute of injury time. The Portuguese will play Spain in the round of 16, who defeated Austria 3-0.

Croatia took the lead with a goal from Ivan Perišić in the 53rd minute, Cristiano Ronaldo equalized in the 68th minute from a penalty kick, and Goncalo Ramos secured the victory for Portugal in the fourth minute of injury time.

The most serious chances for both teams were in the opening minutes, Budimir shot from the top of the penalty area in the 3rd minute after a combination between Perišić and Vlašić, but it was too weak for Diogo Costa, while a minute later Rafael Leao broke through the left wing and passed to Bruno Fernandes, whose shot from about 10 meters was excellently stopped by Livaković.

In the rest of the match, Budimir was replaced by Matanović in the Croatian attack, and this move by coach Dalić proved to be a perfect fit. It was he who contributed to a great opportunity in the 48th minute with his fighting spirit, plucking the ball from Vitinha's feet about 20 meters from the Portuguese goal. The ball was taken by Kovačić, who rushed into the penalty area, but his shot from seven or eight meters was stopped by Diogo Costa.

This was a foreshadowing of the lead that Croatia would take in the 53rd minute.

Again, Matanović won the ball deep in the Portuguese half, passed it to Vlašić, who awaited the arrival of Stanišić on the right flank. A cross followed that was too high for Matanović, but Perišić was left unguarded at the far post, who had time to calm the ball down and send it past Costa.

Portugal equalized from a penalty kick that was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo. Previously, in the crowd in front of the Croatian goal, Vlašić held Veiga with his hands during a corner kick, and Norwegian referee Eskes pointed to the penalty spot after the VAR intervention.

Mario Pašalić had a colossal chance to put Croatia ahead in the 88th minute, but his header from five meters flew wide of the goal.

Portugal scored the goal to go through after one of the numerous crosses, Leao crossed from the left, and Ramos jumped over Pongračić and Gvardiol and beat Livaković.

In the last seconds of the match, Gvardiol shook the Portuguese net for an eruption of celebrations, but a VAR review determined that assistant Pašalić was offside.

Both teams also hit the frame of the goal, in the 58th minute the crossbar stopped Leao's attempt, and in the 75th minute Kovačić shook the goal.

Portugal will play Spain in the round of 16 on Monday in Dallas, after Spain beat Austria 3-0 in their last-32 match.

PORTUGAL - CROATIA 2-1

Ronaldo⚽68/11m; Ramos⚽90+4;Perišić⚽53

Starting lineups:

PORTUGAL: Costa, Cancelo (from 62. Ramos⚽), Dias🟨, Veiga, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha (from 62. Bernardo Silva), Neto (from 62. Conceicao), Fernandes (from 62. Semedo), Leao, Ronaldo⚽(from 81. Neves)

CROATIA: Livaković, Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Perišić⚽🟨, Modrić🟨, Kovačić (from 90+6. Kramarić), P.Sučić, Vlašić (from 90+2. Guardiola), Baturina (from 68. Mario Pašalić), Budimir (from 46. Matanović)

Source: HRT