Quaresma's clutch goal breaks deadlock, helps team rise above Croatia for place in quarterfinals
Portugal snapped up the quarter-finals ticket in Euro 2016 by beating Croatia 1-0 thanks to an eleventh-hour winner in the round of 16 match at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens Agglo late Saturday.
Neither Croatia nor Portugal were able to break the deadlock in the regular time so the game went to extra time.
In the 117th minute, Portugal took the lead as Ricardo Quaresma finished with an easy header on the goal line, 1-0.
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo's shot was parried by Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, but Besiktas forward Quaresma followed the rebound, putting the ball into Croatia's net and sealing the victory for Portugal.
With Saturday's victory, Portugal booked their place for quarterfinals as Croatia return home.
Portugal will be meeting Poland on Thursday for a semifinal spot.
- Sunday's fixtures:
France vs Republic of Ireland at 3 p.m. local time in France (1300 GMT)
Germany vs Slovakia at 6 p.m. local time in France (1600 GMT)
Hungary vs Belgium at 9 p.m. local time in France (1900 GMT)
