Overview
- Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto on Thursday to reach the World Cup Round of 16, with Cristiano Ronaldo converting a penalty that marked his first World Cup knockout-stage goal and made him the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match.
- Croatia thought they had equalised in the 103rd minute but the goal was overturned after a pitch‑side VAR review used data from FIFA's Connected Ball Technology to show contact by Igor Matanović in the build-up that put a teammate offside.
- The offside decision prompted angry reactions from fans, who threw bottles onto the field and briefly delayed the match finish while officials released a statement explaining the technology's role.
- Spain beat Austria 3-0 and Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 on the same day, setting the Round of 16 bracket and confirming a high-profile Portugal vs. Spain tie at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on July 6.
- The match highlighted two tournament themes: new ball‑tracking technology changing late offside calls and likely farewells for veterans, with Luka Modrić expected to have played his final World Cup while Switzerland recorded its first World Cup knockout win in 88 years.