Ronaldo breaks two World Cup records as Portugal edge Croatia in stoppage-time thriller

Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name into the World Cup record books on Thursday night as Portugal survived a dramatic finish to beat Croatia 2-1 in their round of 32 tie, with Gonçalo Ramos heading home the winner deep into stoppage time.

Ronaldo, 41 and appearing at his sixth World Cup, converted a 68th-minute penalty to level the match at 1-1, becoming both the oldest goalscorer and the oldest outfield player to score in a World Cup knockout match. The goal — his 146th at international level — was also his first in the knockout stages of the tournament.

“I never felt any of that [fear],” Ronaldo said of the pressure on the spot-kick. “Yes, nervous. But as always, you have to be very positive for things to go well.”

Croatia had taken the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perišić, who finished from a Josip Sanisic cross. Ronaldo drew Portugal level after Nikola Vlasic was penalised for holding inside the box, stepping up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way with a composed finish down the middle. He was substituted in the 81st minute before Ramos settled the tie.

“I love that type of moment, I love that type of games,” Ramos said after his decisive header. “I want to play every game like that.”

The closing moments descended into controversy. Croatia believed they had equalised at 2-2 in the final seconds, only for VAR to rule Mario Pasalic offside after a delay of two and a half minutes. Croatian fans threw bottles onto the pitch in protest, while midfielder Petar Sucic disputed the decision, claiming the referee cited a sensor in the ball as the basis for the call.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez confirmed the technology was central to the ruling. “The balls now have a chip, and it’s very clear that’s why the VAR intervened,” he said. “It’s not a subjective opinion.”

The match also featured a generational subplot, pitting Ronaldo in his sixth World Cup against Croatia’s Luka Modrić, making his fifth appearance at the tournament in search of a first title.

Ronaldo reflected on a nervy second half after Portugal had controlled the first. “First half we dominated the game. In second half after the goal we get a little bit panic, but this is football,” he said. “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.”

Portugal, recording only their second knockout-stage win at a World Cup since their fourth-place finish in 2006, will now face Spain in the round of 16 on Monday.