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Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 with a 94th-minute winner from Goncalo Ramos after Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first World Cup knockout stage goal.
Second-half substitute Ramos rose above two Croatia defenders to head in from a superb Rafael Leao cross as a pulsating match looked to be heading for extra time.
Josko Gvardiol thought he had rescued Croatia when he bundled home in the 13th minute of stoppage time, the BBC reports.
The video assistant referee intervened and the goal was ruled out for offside.
Replays showed that Igor Matanovic got the slightest of touches on a cross that then fell to Mario Pasalic who was in an offside position before Gvardiol scored.
“Portugal dominated the first half but it was Croatia who edged a frantic second period,” the report noted. Croatia took the lead eight minutes into the second half.
Ivan Perisic rifled a shot into the corner after Ruben Dias could only half-clear a cross to the back post. Half-time substitute Matanovic thought he had doubled Croatia’s lead two minutes later with a near-post finish.
“The offside flag went up against team-mate Nikola Vlasic,” which denied Croatia a second goal. There followed a frantic few minutes during which Leao rattled the crossbar with a curling strike.
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Ronaldo saw a cute dinked finish ruled out for a marginal offside. But just as it looked like he was about to be replaced, Ronaldo converted from the penalty spot.
“After the video assistant referee spotted a foul on Renato Veiga at a corner,” Ronaldo stepped up to score his first goal in a World Cup knockout stage. Croatia responded well after the hydration break.
Mateo Kovacic forced Diogo Costa into two quick-fire saves before Matanovic was foiled one-on-one. Petar Sucic then ran on to a superb Kovacic through ball and finished coolly past Costa.
“But the offside flag went up once again,” denying Croatia the lead. Ronaldo was visibly unhappy to be replaced in the 81st minute, before Veiga and Mario Pasalic missed clear headed opportunities at either end.
“Extra time seemed the fairest way to settle the contest before Ramos sparked wild celebrations,” with his stoppage-time header. The win sends Portugal through to the last 16.
In the next round, Portugal will face European champions Spain at Dallas Stadium, Texas, on Monday.
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