Portugal survives Toronto chaos and now faces Spain in the Round of 16
Portugal come from behind against Croatia in Toronto with goals from Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos to set up an Iberian derby with Spain in the World Cup Round of 16.
It wasn't pretty. It was tense, controversial, and full of VAR. But Portugal are through to the Round of 16 — and Cristiano Ronaldo's dream is still alive.
In Toronto, the Portuguese came from behind against Croatia to win 2–1, with goals from Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos, after a second half that felt like the script of a thriller.
The match had everything: Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot, then had a goal ruled out for offside. Late on, Croatia saw Joško Gvardiol find the net in stoppage time — only for VAR to cancel that equaliser for offside as well. Double drama.
The result sets up an Iberian showdown in the Round of 16: Portugal vs Spain. A rivalry that needs no introduction.
And the scale of the challenge is clear. Golmetria's model gives Spain a 22.88% chance of lifting the trophy — compared to 4.88% for Portugal. The markets point in the same direction: Spain arrive as one of the tournament's leading favourites, while Portugal will have to overcome an opponent with a considerably higher ELO rating.
But football isn't played on paper — and the night in Toronto proved exactly that.
If Portugal can get past Spain, the road to the final starts to look a little less impossible. For now, Ronaldo and company are still standing. And after that second half, that alone is no small thing.
The Iberian clash will decide who deserves to dream a little bigger at this World Cup.