Ramos' dramatic winner sends Portugal past Croatia into World Cup last 16

Portugal survived a frantic finish, a heartbreaking VAR decision, and a determined Croatian challenge to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory Thursday night, booking a place in the World Cup Round of 16 with a stoppage-time winner from Gonçalo Ramos.

Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier drawn Portugal level from the penalty spot before Ramos delivered the decisive header deep into added time. Moments later, Croatia believed it had rescued extra time, only for a video review to rule Mario Pašalić offside, preserving Portugal's place in the next round.

The victory sends Portugal into a blockbuster Round-of-16 meeting with neighboring rival Spain on Monday.

Veteran icons share center stage

The contest was billed as a rare meeting between two of soccer's enduring legends.

At 41, Ronaldo was appearing in his sixth World Cup, while 40-year-old Luka Modrić was making his fifth attempt to capture the one major trophy that has eluded his remarkable career.

Former teammates at Real Madrid, the two embraced and exchanged smiles before kickoff. After the final whistle, they met again, sharing another hug and a few quiet words in what may have been their final World Cup encounter.

"I played with Luca so many years," Ronaldo said. "We're nearly the same age. I think he's a legend of football."

Croatia strike first

After a tightly contested opening half, Croatia broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute.

Josip Stanišić delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, where Ivan Perišić finished clinically to hand Croatia a deserved advantage and place Portugal under mounting pressure.

With Croatian supporters roaring their team forward, Portugal searched for a response while Ronaldo endured relentless boos each time he touched the ball.

Ronaldo levels from the spot

Portugal's opportunity arrived in the 68th minute when Nikola Vlašić was penalized for holding inside the penalty area.

Ronaldo stepped forward and calmly converted the penalty, disguising his finish with a trademark stutter before sending the ball straight down the middle as the goalkeeper committed to his right.

The strike carried added significance, marking Ronaldo's first goal in the knockout rounds of a World Cup.

Reflecting on the team's resilience afterward, Ronaldo said, "First half we dominated the game. In second half after the goal we got a little bit panic, but this is football."

"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."

Ronaldo was substituted in the 81st minute, leaving Portugal to chase a winner without its captain on the field.

Ramos delivers, VAR crushes Croatia's hopes

As extra time ticked away, Portugal found the breakthrough it had been searching for.

Ramos rose to meet a cross and headed home in stoppage time, sparking jubilant celebrations as Portugal moved within moments of advancing.

Croatia appeared to have one final answer.

In the dying seconds, Pašalić found the net to seemingly make it 2-2, but after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside. The decision ignited furious protests from Croatian supporters, who whistled loudly and threw bottles onto the field as their team's World Cup campaign came to an agonizing end.

Portugal, meanwhile, emerged from one of the tournament's most dramatic finishes with its knockout hopes intact and a heavyweight showdown against Spain now awaiting.