local
Ramos, Ronaldo score as Portugal rallies to beat Croatia 2-1 and advance to round of 16
By Lexie Linderman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 3, 2026
· 4 min read
At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo will get another match in a Portugal uniform, thanks to a penalty he scored, a stoppage time header by Goncalo Ramos, and a VAR ruling the Croatia team still doesn't understand.Ramos headed in the winner as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a wild finish that also included a C...
Key takeaway The game featured a matchup of 40-somethings — Ronaldo, in his sixth World Cup, and Croatia's Luka Modrić, making his fifth bid for a tournament title.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents with Portuguese or Croatian heritage, the World Cup match between Portugal and Croatia was more than just a game. The city's diverse community, with a significant number of residents claiming European ancestry, likely had a strong interest in the outcome. As Portugal advances to the round of 16, local fans may be eager to gather at area restaurants or community centers to watch the team's next match against Spain. The presence of international soccer fans in Pearland adds to the city's cultural richness, and the World Cup provides a unique opportunity for residents to connect with their roots and celebrate their heritage. With the tournament continuing to captivate audiences worldwide, Pearland's soccer enthusiasts will likely remain engaged, cheering on their favorite teams and players as they compete on the global stage.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo will get another match in a Portugal uniform, thanks to a penalty he scored, a stoppage time header by Goncalo Ramos, and a VAR ruling the Croatia team still doesn't understand.Ramos headed in the winner as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a wild finish that also included a C...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lexie Linderman, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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