FIFA World Cup 2026: Portugal defeats Croatia 2-1 after wild 2nd half of soccer in Toronto

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The goal has been disallowed after VAR tells the referee to check the video replay. It's yet another Croatian goal ruled out for offside.

No dramatic equalizer … yet!

Every Portugal fan is on their feet and jumping. A red flare has been fired off in the upper deck and, unfortunately, an idiot in a Ronaldo jersey ran onto the field and tried to get onto Portugal’s bench before being tackled and detained by security.

Wild scenes. 

Can Croatia counter?

Croatia makes an offense-minded change, bringing attacker Andrej Kramarić on for Mateo Kovačić.

They have a few minutes left to find the equalizer!

A stoppage-time goal from Portugal's Gonçalo Ramos!

The super-sub gets a big header on an inviting Rafael Leão cross. Croatian hearts are broken in Toronto!

I mentioned earlier that Leão could be involved in a Portugal goal and I've not been disappointed. He's looked fantastic on the left wing, and he gets a great assist for his effort.

It’s so loud now. The Portuguese drumming and chanting is all my left ear can hear. To my right, there’s a loud chant from the Croatian supporters just to the side of the press box.

We're in next-goal-wins land now, and the fans know it.

Still a lot of soccer left to play as 10 minutes of time are added on. That's more than enough for someone to score a winner!

Ohhh you have to get that on target!

Mario Pašalić got his head on an inswinging cross, but he somehow misses the far post from close range.

As Ronaldo walked off the field a fan bowed to him.

But the intensity is right back on.

Time to see how different Portugal looks without Ronaldo’s presence up front.

Ronaldo's evening in Toronto is done! The all-time great has been subbed out for Rúben Neves. Is this the last time we'll see him at a World Cup?

Just before that, Petar Sučić thought he had given Croatia the lead again, getting on the end of a fantastic through ball. But the offside flag stopped the Croatian celebrations. 

I’m sitting next to Shireen Ahmed, our soccer expert, who noted coolly after Croatia’s goal: "It’s not how much possession you have, it’s what you do with it."

Croatia’s proved they can pierce Portugal’s defence, but will they be able to find the back of the net again?

Three really great chances in the last few minutes suggest they just might be able to.

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