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Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia to advance to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, where they will face European champions Spain after Goncalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner in a pulsating knockout encounter.
Croatia took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic, but Portugal responded after Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th minute. The goal saw the 41-year-old captain become the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match.
With the match seemingly destined for extra time, Ramos headed home in the fourth minute of added time to complete Portugal's comeback and send Roberto Martinez's side into the last 16.
Croatia thought it had rescued the match moments later when Josko Gvardiol found the net, but the effort was ruled out following a VAR review for an offside infringement in the buildup.
Following the final whistle, Ronaldo paid tribute to his late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota by holding up a Portugal jersey bearing the No. 21. The emotional gesture came almost a year after Jota died in a car accident.
"We knew before the game how special today was," Ronaldo said. "It means a lot to us, not only because we won, but also because of the way we won. It was a very difficult match."
The victory keeps Portugal's hopes of a first World Cup title alive and sets up a highly anticipated match against Spain in the Round of 16.
Spain booked its place in the knockout stage with a 3-0 victory over Austria in Los Angeles. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro added another as Luis de la Fuente's side produced one of its most convincing displays of the tournament.
"We played a magnificent match," De la Fuente said after the win. "We came close to perfection, but we believe there is still room for improvement. Every match from now on will be more demanding."
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