Ronaldo Ends Knockout Drought, Portugal Battles VAR Drama into World Cup Last 16

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo finally broke his long-standing World Cup knockout stage goal drought, scoring a crucial penalty for Portugal in their thrilling 2-1 victory over Croatia in Toronto. The win sends Portugal into the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, but not before a dramatic and controversial VAR decision disallowed a late Croatian equalizer, igniting fresh debate around the technology's role in high-stakes matches. The decisive moment came from substitute Goncalo Ramos, who headed in the winner deep into stoppage time. Ronaldo's goal was a historic personal milestone at 41 years old, as he had failed to score in eight previous World Cup knockout games across five tournaments, a stat often highlighted by his critics. Croatia, runners-up in 2018 and third-place finishers in 2022, fought hard, with veteran captain Luka Modrić leading their charge, but ultimately fell short after a goal from Josko Gvardiol was controversially ruled out for offside by VAR using advanced 'Connected Ball Technology' in the official match ball. The match, played in Toronto, showcased the intense drama and fine margins inherent in the World Cup's expanded 48-team format. Portugal will now prepare for a highly anticipated Round of 16 clash against Spain, a match that will further test their title ambitions and Ronaldo's enduring influence. The VAR controversy is expected to continue dominating discussions, especially with FIFA's explanation of the 'Connected Ball Technology' used to detect the slightest touch. For Croatia, this marks a disappointing early exit for a team that has consistently performed well in recent World Cups, leaving fans to wonder about the future of their aging golden generation, including Luka Modrić.