Portugal and Pedro Neto progress after World Cup classic | News | Official Site

It went right down to the wire but Portugal and Pedro Neto are into the World Cup Round of 16 after a 2-1 victory against Croatia in Toronto.

Neto started on the right wing for Roberto Martinez’s side and played just over an hour before being replaced by Francisco Conceicao. Much of the drama arrived after his withdrawal.

Portugal dominated a goalless first half and one teasing Neto cross nearly picked out Cristiano Ronaldo. Dominik Livakovic in the Croatia goal made a couple of fine saves, too.

Croatia came flying out of the traps in the second period and took the lead through Ivan Perisic’s pinpoint 53rd-minute finish.

Igor Matanovic thought he had doubled Croatia’s advantage shortly after, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Ronaldo then suffered the same fate after latching on to a sublime long Neto pass and dinking a finish beyond Livakovic. It was our man’s final meaningful involvement before being substitute.

Midway through the second half, the VAR spotted former Blue Renato Veiga was fouled in the box at a corner, and Ronaldo stepped up to level from 12 yards out.

After the hydration break that followed, another ex-Chelsea player was involved as Mateo Kovacic forced Diogo Costa into a pair of quickfire saves, the first tipping a long-range shot onto the post.

In the closing stages, Matanovic was denied by Costa and Petar Sucic scored but became the third player to be thwarted by an offside flag.

The last-32 tie looked set for extra-time, but the drama was far from over. Portugal sub Goncalo Ramos climbed highest to head in Rafael Leao’s cross in the 94th minute.

Josko Gvardiol thought he had rescued Croatia when he bundled home in the 13th minute of stoppage time, but VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out for offside. Matanovic was deemed to have got the slightest touch on an inswinging cross that fell to Mario Pasalic, standing in an offside position before a combination of Gvardiol and Ruben Neves put the ball in the net.

Portugal could breathe again after probably the most dramatic half of football at this World Cup so far. They will meet their neighbours Spain in Dallas on Monday evening in the Round of 16.