FIFA Clarifies VAR Decision in Croatia vs Portugal World Cup Clash
FIFA has published a detailed statement explaining why the video assistant referee disallowed Croatia's late goal against Portugal during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match. The controversial decision came in the final seconds when Josko Gvardiol thought he had equalized for Croatia, only for VAR to rule it out for offside by Mario Pasalic. Portugal had earlier secured a 2-1 comeback victory with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos, after Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Croatia.
Connected Ball Technology Reveals Touch
According to FIFA's statement, the decision was based on data from Connected Ball Technology housed within the Adidas Trionda match ball. The technology detected contact by Croatia's Igor Matanović in the buildup, which allowed the referee to correctly determine offside. The statement reads: "According to the data provided by Connected Ball Technology housed within the @adidasfootball Trionda, the official match ball of the @FIFAWorldCup, it was proven that contact was made by Croatia's #20 Igor Matanović in the build-up to the goal against Portugal, allowing the referee to correctly determine offside and disallow the goal." The ball's IMU sensors detected the slight contact, displayed as a 'heartbeat graphic' on broadcasts, providing officials with unprecedented data for accurate decisions.
Controversy Over Unintentional Contact
The second phase of controversy involved Portuguese defender Renato Veiga's contact with the ball, which some argued should have reset the offside. However, FIFA explained that under IFAB rules, unintentional contact does not interfere with offside. Referee Espen Eskas deemed Veiga's contact unintentional, thus upholding the offside call.
Coaches React to VAR Decision
Croatian manager Zlatko Dalic criticized VAR for diminishing the emotional aspect of football. He stated via SuperSport: "You were able to see to what extent emotions have been literally killed, and altogether these decisions take you back and actually take the joy out of football. I'm not saying that sometimes VAR can't be of help, but it kills the emotions, it kills everything within you, it kills what you are experiencing, and it's not easy to deal with all of this."
In contrast, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez supported the technology. He said: "The message is very clear: The balls now have a chip, and it's very clear, and that's why the VAR intervened. There is no subjective opinion – the chip of the ball shows there is a touch from Matanovic, and that when it happens, Pasalic is offside."
Ronaldo's International Future
In related news, Cristiano Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveiro announced before the match that he would retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo himself refused to confirm or deny the claim, stating he does not make decisions in the heat of the moment.
