Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has defended the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions that shaped his side’s dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, while Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic criticized the official, but refused to blame entirely for his team’s exit.Portugal booked their place in the Round of 16 after coming from behind to beat Croatia in Toronto, with Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot before substitute Goncalo Ramos headed home a stoppage-time winner. The match was overshadowed by a series of VAR interventions, including the disallowance of two Croatian goals for offside.Speaking after the match, Martinez rejected suggestions that Croatia had been unfairly denied a dramatic late equaliser.“There was no bad decision. Today we were lucky,” Martinez said when asked if Croatia had been robbed of a second goal by VAR.“The chip ball showed that it was offside, the penalty was also clear. I understand the work of (Croatia coach Zlatko) Dalic in this team and it is a shame that there was only one winner today,” he added.The Portugal manager also looked ahead to his side’s round of 16 clash against Spain, predicting a high-quality encounter.“We respect the quality of Spain. I think it will be a fantastic match, it will be the European game of this World Cup,” said Martinez.Reflecting on the dramatic nature of the contest, she added: “I’ve lost my hair over it, but I think it’s worth it.”Dalic, meanwhile, expressed frustration with the officiating, believing Croatia was denied important decisions during the match.“It was very bad officiating,” Dalic said, adding that Croatia “should have been given more free kicks.”However, the Croatia manager did not use the refereeing as an excuse for the elimination of his team.“But Croatia lost. I will not find excuses,” he said. “We could have won this earlier.”Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perisic, who became the country’s first World Cup goalscorer, before Ronaldo’s penalty brought Portugal level. Ramos’ late winner finally sealed Portugal’s progress and potentially brought about the end Luka Modricthe World Cup career.