Portugal advances in dramatic fashion
Toronto Stadium concluded its role as a World Cup venue with a significant match on Thursday night, witnessing Portugal secure a 2-1 victory over Croatia in a Round of 32 encounter. The game featured a penalty kick goal from Cristiano Ronaldo and a late winner from Goncalo Ramos, scored four minutes into stoppage time.
The match was marked by high drama, particularly in the second half. Croatia believed they had equalized in the 13th minute of stoppage time when Josko Gvardiol tapped in a goal from close range. However, the goal was ultimately disallowed following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).
The decision, described as one of the biggest VAR calls, hinged on whether Croatia’s Igor Matanovic had touched the ball in the build-up to the goal. Snickometer-style technology, which detects ball touches, indicated a contact, leading to the goal being ruled offside. This technology, also used in cricket, has been adopted in football, with the Trionda match ball containing a microchip that sends real-time data to the VAR.
The disallowed goal sparked chaotic scenes, with some Croatian fans throwing plastic bottles onto the pitch. Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic expressed frustration with the refereeing, stating, “I will not comment much about it but I will say the refereeing was very bad.” He also criticized VAR, saying, “VAR kills emotions, it kills everything within you. We have gone too far with VAR.”
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, however, defended the decision, noting that the ball’s chip sensor showed a clear touch. “There is no bad decision or lucky decision. It was a clear moment,” Martinez stated.
Ronaldo’s journey continues, Modric’s likely ends
For Cristiano Ronaldo, the match was a rollercoaster of emotions. He scored his first ever World Cup knockout goal from the penalty spot, making the score 1-1 after an earlier goal was ruled out for offside. He was substituted in the 81st minute, looking dejected, but later celebrated Ramos’s winning goal from the bench.
Conversely, the match likely marked the end of Luka Modric’s World Cup career. The 40-year-old Croatian legend, who made his 23rd World Cup appearance, was consoled by former teammate Ronaldo after the final whistle. Modric had previously hinted at approaching a defining moment in his career and had celebrated his 200th appearance for the national team in a group stage match against Panama.
Former Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva commented on Modric’s situation, saying, “It is very harsh for Croatia to go out like this, for Luka Modric, probably his last game in the World Cup. A legend of the game.”
Toronto’s successful hosting
Despite the on-field drama, Toronto Stadium, known as BMO Field for club play, received praise for its hosting of six World Cup matches. Portugal manager Roberto Martinez commended the venue, stating, “The training session yesterday, the quality of the grass, was fantastic. Everything around the beautiful facilities here, it reminds me of the old-fashioned Premier League grounds.” He also noted the “incredible, incredible spectacle for football” and the “wonderful support for their teams.”
The stadium, though the smallest of the 16 venues used across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, made a significant impression with its sold-out crowd of 43,036. The atmosphere was electric, fueled by large Portuguese and Croatian diaspora communities in Ontario. The provincial government reported over 300,000 people of Portuguese descent and nearly 100,000 people with Croatian roots in the province.
Transportation logistics for the event were also deemed successful. Toronto Transit Commission spokesman Stuart Green highlighted the effective planning, noting that adjustments made early on helped streamline fan exits. The stadium’s central location within Exhibition Place, with dedicated public transit options, contributed to the smooth flow of attendees.
The match on Thursday night was the final World Cup game to be held at Toronto Stadium.
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Source: chch.com
