If it doesn't hurt, it isn't worth it: Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic fashion and advanced to the round of 16

New duel between powerful teams and a new definition in stoppage time. In a match that would have the VAR as its main protagonist, and after being behind on the scoreboard, Portugal won a hard-fought victory against Croatia 2-1 with a goal in an eternal added time that almost cost them dearly.

The start of the match would show a dominance from the Portuguese that would quickly reflect in the first clear chance of the game. At 3, after a cross from Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes would push it in the heart of the area, but his attempt would be cleared by a great save from Dominik Livaković.

Although they would continue to be protagonists, the Iberians would gradually lose the clarity of the beginning and lower their intensity. In this context, only at 32 would they have a promising opportunity to take the lead on the scoreboard with a shot from Fernandes deflected by Josip Stanišić that would force a intervention from Livaković.

In the second half, the Croatians would have their first dangerous play, with a shot from Mateo Kovačić that Diogo Costa would send to the corner with the edge of his boot.

Clearly much more engaged in the game than in the first 45, the Balkans would dare to do more and would reach 1-0. At 52, a cross from 2 deflected off the head of Nuno Mendes would fall to Ivan Perišić, who would score between Costa's legs to put his team ahead.

From this moment on, the match would be a true rollercoaster of emotions. Just 3 minutes later, the second Croatian goal would come, scored by the recently substituted Igor Matanović, but it would be disallowed for an offside by Nikola Vlašić.

After this flurry from their rival, Portugal would react at 57 with a shot from Leão that would hit the crossbar, although shortly after they would be close to suffering a new goal from a shot by Petar Sučić, which would be saved by Costa.

Before the second cooling break, to momentarily end this frantic stretch of the duel, at 60 Cristiano Ronaldo would score the equalizer with a very good finish over Livaković, but his goal would not count due to a millimetric offside.

However, the bitterness would not last long for the Bicho, as 5 minutes later Vlašić would bring down Renato Veiga in the area and he would take the resulting penalty, which he would not waste to score now 1-1.

After the break, the chances would return to the Croatian side and make Diogo Costa the star. First, at 75 Mateo Kovačić would have a double chance with a shot hitting the post and another attempt saved by the Portuguese goalkeeper, who shortly after would deny Matanović another attempt.

At 79, the team led by Zlatko Dalić would once again take the lead thanks to Sučić, but once again an offside, this time from the number 17 himself, would deny it.

In the final moments of the match, the Portuguese would turn the result around in a dramatic fashion: at 93, after a cross from Leão, the substitute Gonçalo Ramos would head in the final 2-1.

When it seemed that the story would end there, in the last gasp, Croatia would equalize. At 103, Joško Gvardiol would score 2-2 that sent the match to extra time, however, an old acquaintance would once again get in their way: the offside. Before the defender received the ball, the VAR would detect that the ball had subtly grazed Matanović's head, leaving the substitute Mario Pašalić, who had assisted for the goal, completely ineligible.

With this victory, Portugal qualified for the round of 16, where they will face Spain next Monday, July 6 at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas.