VAR Drama Rescues Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in World Cup Thriller Against Croatia
A dramatic late VAR review rescues Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in a thrilling 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia. See the match statistics and turning points here.
VAR Heroics Keep Cristiano Ronaldo's Dream Alive
A dramatic intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) rescued Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in a heart-stopping 2-1 Round of 16 triumph over Croatia at Toronto Stadium. Despite dictating the tempo with 61% possession, the Portuguese side faced a ferocious Croatian squad that registered 6 shots on target against Portugal’s 3.
After Ivan Perišić opened the scoring, Ronaldo stepped up under immense pressure to smash home a crucial second-half equalizer. A late header by Gonçalo Ramos seemed to seal the victory, but the true drama unfolded deep into stoppage time.
In the 113th minute, Croatia appeared to have forced extra time after bundling the ball across the line. However, a meticulous VAR review utilizing connected-ball technology identified a marginal offside in the buildup. The equalizer was subsequently overturned, sparking wild celebrations from the Portuguese bench. Thanks to technology, Ronaldo’s quest for the ultimate footballing crown continues, while Luka Modrić's legendary international career comes to a heartbreaking, narrow end.
