Breathtaking until the very last minute.
The clash between Portugal and Croatia on the morning of July 3rd deserves to be taken as a prime example of the drama and harshness of football. Entering the match as the favorites, Portugal quickly imposed their dominance, controlling possession thanks to their star-studded midfield. However, possession didn't necessarily translate into effectiveness. Croatia, under the command of the tireless veteran Luka Modric, displayed an incredibly disciplined defense. The Croatian team maintained excellent positional discipline, closing off gaps and repeatedly thwarting attacks from both flanks and the center of the pitch against the "European Seleção".
Ronaldo (right) has finally overcome a psychological barrier that has plagued him for 20 years.
PHOTO: REUTERS
A major surprise occurred in the 53rd minute when 37-year-old veteran Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead 1-0 after a sharp counter-attack. As the deadlock intensified, the turning point came from a corner kick. Veiga, attempting a header, was fouled by a Croatian defender inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty for Portugal. The pressure weighed heavily on Ronaldo from the penalty spot. But it was in that moment that the "steel" of a legend was demonstrated. CR7 decisively struck the ball straight down the middle of the net, completely deceiving the Croatian goalkeeper to equalize 1-1.
This goal broke a career-ending jinx that had plagued him since his World Cup debut in 2006. It was Ronaldo's first goal in a World Cup knockout round. Furthermore, it marked CR7's fourth penalty goal in World Cup history, equaling and sharing Lionel Messi 's record for most penalty goals in World Cup history.
Furthermore, that goal also made CR7 the oldest player in history to score in a knockout round. Ronaldo's equalizer completely broke the psychological deadlock for Portugal, and then Goncalo Ramos, the striker who replaced Ronaldo at the end of the match, intelligently positioned himself and rose high to head in a precious goal, making the score 2-1 in the 90+4 minute.
The match ended, but the aftermath will undoubtedly linger for a long time, especially for the Croatian players and fans. In the 90+13th minute, Portugal's net was shaken by a shot from Pasalic. However, the goal was disallowed for offside.
It's worth noting that this offside violation was determined by the new technology on the "Trionda" ball used in the 2026 World Cup. The ball, equipped with intelligent sensors, accurately identified a very light touch by the Croatian player beforehand. A situation invisible to the naked eye, yet it dashed last hopes, as the Croatian press exclaimed after the match: "It was cruel."
Fiery Iberian Peninsula Derby
While Portugal narrowly advanced through the round of 32, their Iberian neighbors, Spain, secured their place without much effort. The Spanish team made a strong statement as the top contender for the title by defeating Austria 3-0. The star of the match was Mikel Oyarzabal with a superb brace, while Pedro Porro scored the other goal.
Accordingly, Spain will face Portugal in the Round of 16, taking place at 2 AM on July 7th. This Iberian Peninsula derby is a rematch of the 2025 UEFA Nations League final, a match in which Ronaldo and his teammates won on penalties (after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes).
In the other match yesterday, July 3rd, Switzerland demonstrated their seasoned experience in the knockout round by defeating Algeria 2-0 thanks to goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye. The highlight of the European team's performance was 21-year-old striker Johan Manzambi. He lived up to coach Murat Yakin's expectations when given a starting place. The striker, born in 2005, made a brilliant breakthrough to score the opening goal early in the match and "unlock" the game. Switzerland's opponent in the round of 16 will be the winner of the match between Colombia and Ghana.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ronaldo-khien-the-gioi-goi-ten-185260703184132639.htm
