Ronaldo's penalty and Ramos' late header keep Portugal alive

Portugal secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Croatia on Thursday, with a late header sealing the win. The result ended Luka Modrić's fifth attempt to qualify for the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who started the match on the bench, converted a penalty early in the second half to give Portugal the lead. His spot‑kick demonstrated his continued influence despite limited minutes.

In stoppage time, Gonçalo Ramos met a precise pass from Rafael Leão and headed the ball into the net for the decisive goal. The Brazilian forward's finish capped Portugal's comeback and secured the three points.

Croatia fought back after the penalty, but they could not find an equaliser before the final whistle. Luka Modrić's fifth bid for a World Cup campaign concluded in defeat.

The match formed part of the World Cup qualification process, with both sides seeking to solidify their positions. Portugal's resilience underlined their ambition to return to the tournament.

The victory was achieved despite Portugal missing several key players, highlighting the depth of the squad. Croatia will need to regroup ahead of their next qualifying fixture.