Offside Drama
Portugal Advances to Round of 16 After Controversial Offside Call Disallows Croatia Equalizer
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Portugal survived a wild, nerve-shredding World Cup match to advance to the round of 16, beating Croatia on the strength of a dramatic finish. The decisive moment came in the 109th minute, when referee Espen Eskås called time on a match that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish, according to WV News.
Croatia had a potential equalizer ruled out for offside after a video review, sealing Portugal's fate and sending Croatia home. The final score was 1-1 at the end of regular play, with Portugal advancing on the strength of that ruling, Post Register reported.
Ivan Perisic Opens the Scoring in the 53rd Minute
Croatia drew first blood when Ivan Perisic put the ball in the net in the 53rd minute. That goal gave Croatia real hope and shifted the momentum of the match, according to Leader Telegram. Portugal had to regroup fast.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez made several changes to try to turn the game around. His moves worked. Portugal managed to level the score and hold on, even as Croatia pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages, WFMZ reported.
Croatia's Offside Call Ends All Hope in Extra Time
The match's defining moment came deep in extra time. Croatia thought they had found a way back into the game, but a video review — known as VAR — ruled the goal out for offside. That call ended Croatia's last real chance, Joplin Globe reported.
Referee Espen Eskås blew the final whistle at the 109-minute mark. Croatia's players were devastated. Portugal's bench erupted. The offside decision was razor-thin, but it stood, ending one of the most chaotic World Cup matches in recent memory, according to WV News.
Ronaldo Struggles to Leave His Mark on the Match
Cristiano Ronaldo was widely believed to be playing in his final World Cup. But the Portuguese star struggled to make a big impact on the game. He was unable to find his best form when Portugal needed him most, Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported.
Ronaldo did weigh in on the offside ruling, calling it a major decision. Despite his quiet night, Portugal got through. The win sets up a round-of-16 clash with the pressure now squarely on Martinez's side to go deeper in the tournament, according to Post Register.
Portugal Advances Despite Rollercoaster Final Minutes
The final minutes were described as "wild" and "pulsating" — a match that swung back and forth with barely a moment to breathe, according to Joplin Globe. Both sides created chances. Both sides gave up chances. It came down to one VAR call.
Portugal now moves on to the round of 16 with lessons to learn. Their defense was shaky, and Ronaldo's form remains a question. But they survived. Croatia, a team that reached the final in 2018, goes home on the cruelest of margins — a single offside line, Leader Telegram reported.
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