World Cup, Portugal vs Croatia: Ronaldo consoles Modric as Portugal beat Croatia in late VAR drama
Cristiano Ronaldo embraces Luka Modric in tears after Portugal ended Croatia’s FIFA World Cup campaign with a dramatic 2-1 win in the round of 32 on Thursday. Moments after a lengthy VAR review denied Croatia a stoppage-time equaliser, Ronaldo stepped forward to console his former Real Madrid teammate, as Modric acknowledged the traveling fans in what could prove to be his final World Cup appearance.
After the match, Ronaldo said, “I played with Modric for many years. It’s great to see him still playing at the top level.” “I told him: Congratulations, Luca. Good luck with the future of your career.”
Emotional scenes followed a dramatic finish in Toronto, where substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home Rafael Leao’s cross to score in the fourth minute of extra time. Portugal in the round of 16.
Croatia believed they had forced extra time when Josko Guardiol fired deep into the net in stoppage time, but VAR ruled out the goal after Mario Pasalic was ruled offside when Igor Matanovic flicked the ball.
Portugal will now face Spain in the round of 16 after the European champions defeated Austria 3-0 on Thursday.
Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic, who finished after Josip Stanisic’s cross took a deflection off Ruben Dias. The goal moved Perisic past Davor Sukar as Croatia’s top scorer in World Cup history.
Portugal controlled the ball for long periods but struggled to make any breakthroughs until VAR awarded a penalty for a foul on Nikola Vlasic on Renato Veiga. Ronaldo stepped up in the 68th minute and easily converted the goal, making him the oldest player to score in a men’s World Cup knockout match at the age of 41. It was also the first knockout-stage goal of his World Cup career.
Roberto Martínez introduced Ramos midway through the second half and the striker made a decisive impact. Rising above the Croatian defence, he powered Leão’s cross past Dominik Livakovic to put Portugal ahead in stoppage time.
Croatia desperately tried for one last chance and when Guardiol headed the ball into the net in the 103rd minute they thought they had got it. The celebrations were cut short after a lengthy VAR review revealed an offside violation in the build-up, confirming Portugal’s place in the last 16.
The result ended Croatia’s campaign on a sad note. As the players collapsed onto the field at the final whistle, Modric stood before the Croatian supporters and tearfully applauded them, before Ronaldo crossed the pitch to embrace his long-time friend and say a few quiet words, bringing an emotional end to one of the defining careers in World Cup history.
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