Portugal v Croatia
Formations & Lineups
Match Leaders
Game Information
Toronto, Canada
Referee:Espen Eskas
Match Timeline & MomentumMomentumThis graph shows how much pressure a team applied during the match. Taller columns indicate stronger attacking periods, based on things like possession, shots, goals, big chances, and other key stats.
Commentary
Well, there sounds the full-time whistle, bringing an end to one of the most dramatic World Cup matches of all time! Portugal advance to the last 16 with a 2–1 win over Croatia, following a second half which featured three goals, three more disallowed goals, a penalty and plenty of controversy! After a goalless first half, Croatia flew out of the blocks in the second, and Perisic put them in front just eight minutes after the restart with a ruthless finish from Stanisic's far-post cross. The offside flag denied Ronaldo an equaliser as Portugal attempted to hit straight back, but their talisman made no mistake from the spot following a VAR-awarded penalty, making it 1–1 with 22 minutes of normal time left. Portugal produced 2.18 xG to Croatia's 1.34 xG with the game still level heading into stoppage time, and although Sucic saw a potential winner denied by the flag once more, it was Portugal who struck in the final throes. With Ronaldo taken off, a cross for the ages from Leao allowed substitute Goncalo Ramos to send a superb header into the top corner, completing Portugal's comeback with what was surely the winning goal. Croatia had other ideas though, and with 10 minutes of stoppage already up, one last ball into the box sparked a chaotic set of flick-ons culminating in a last-gasp Gvardiol goal from close range. However, the slightest of touches from Matanovic resulted in Pasalic being pinged for offside, ruling out Gvardiol's equaliser well beyond added time, and consigning Croatia to the 2–1 defeat which sends them home. On the one-year anniversary of Diogo Jota's passing, Portugal advance with a memorable victory, but with neighbours Spain up next, the entire Iberian Peninsula will be hoping for a far less dramatic encounter in the last 16!
FULL-TIME: PORTUGAL 2–1 CROATIA.
Croatia's travelling fans haven't taken that decision at all well – and who can blame them? But their anger has led to bottles being thrown onto the pitch, delaying the restart and the final few seconds of what has been a frankly extraordinary match.
NO GOAL FOR CROATIA!!! And that VAR decision will send them packing from this World Cup!!! Pasalic is indeed offside, but only from Matanovic's faint flick-on in the box. From Perisic's initial ball, the substitute's positioning is absolutely fine, but VAR replays and a second look from the referee both confirm that the striker did indeed get the slightest of touches on the cross. That ultimately rules Pasalic offside, meaning Gvardiol's goal is wiped out, and we're back to Portugal leading 2–1 with virtually no time left to play!
HAVE CROATIA RESCUED IT???? What else can this crazy tie provide???? Perisic's last-ditch, hit-and-hope cross from the left is flicked on by Matanovic, picking out Pasalic at the far post. The ball ricochets off the midfielder and into the path of Gvardiol, who crashes it home from close range to spark absolute pandemonium in Toronto!! Croatia think it's 2–2, but there's going to be additional scrutiny on this as Pasalic was definitely offside there!
WIDE!!! Portugal finally relieve the multiple waves of Croatian possession, and Semedo counters before finding Conceicao. He cuts inside and shoots left-footed into the box, but can only fire wide!!
Shot Map
Team Stats
2.20
Expected Goals
1.34
60%
Possession
40%
3 (20%)
Shots on Goal
6 (46%)
2
Big Chances Created
2
2
Big Chances Missed
3
533 (91%)
Accurate Passes
312 (84%)
55
Duels Won
42
5
Saves
2
6
Fouls Committed
12
Game OddsOdds by
Head-To-Head
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