Goncalo Ramos headed in a stoppage-time winner as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 and kept alive Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of winning the World Cup. The late goal broke Croatian hearts in another knockout game packed with late drama.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo, a five-times Ballon d’Or winner and one of the game’s greatest players, was substituted on 80 minutes having scored his first knockout goal for his country. It was a big decision by Portugal coach Roberto Martinez but paid off when Ramos headed in Rafael Leao’s cross.
Portugal had the best chances of the first half with Bruno Fernandes seeing two shots blocked in quick succession and Ronaldo failing to get onto Pedro Neto’s cross.
The game erupted in the second half and it was Croatia who started stronger with Mateo Kovacic hitting the side netting before Ivan Perisic was allowed to take three touches to control the ball in the box in on 53 minutes.
Be the first to comment