Portugal looked to be heading for extra-time heartbreak when Croatia found the back of the net late in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash.
However, the celebrations were cut short within moments as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) stepped in, and after a review, the goal was ruled out for offside.
The dramatic decision completely changed the complexion of the contest and left Croatia stunned, while Portugal survived the scare before eventually progressing. The incident quickly became one of the biggest talking points of the knockout stage, with social media divided over whether Croatia had been unfairly denied an equaliser.
What Happened That Led to the Controversy?
Croatia thought they had forced the match level after a late attacking move ended with the ball in the back of Portugal’s net. As the players celebrated, the VAR began reviewing the sequence leading up to the goal.
The review focused on whether there had been a touch from Croatia’s No. 20, Igor Matanović, before the final finish. If there had been contact, it would have meant the attacking phase had changed, putting the eventual goalscorer in an offside position.
After examining the available technology, the officials concluded that Matanović had indeed made contact with the ball. As a result, the player receiving the next pass was judged to be offside, and the goal was disallowed.
The decision sparked immediate debate among fans and football experts, with many arguing that the touch was too minimal to be noticed in real time, while others backed the officials for following the laws of the game with the help of advanced technology.
What FIFA Clarified?
To clear the confusion, FIFA later explained that the decision was backed by the Connected Ball Technology used throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In a statement shared on X, FIFA Media said, “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.”
“IMU sensors housed within the Trionda ball are capable of determining any slight contact, displayed to viewers in the broadcast as a ‘heartbeat graphic’, and allowing officials an unprecedented level of data to make fast, accurate decisions,” FIFA added.
The explanation confirmed that the crucial factor behind the overturned goal was not just the video replay but the data collected by the sensor-equipped match ball. The technology detected the slight touch from Matanović, enabling VAR officials to accurately reconstruct the attacking sequence before applying the offside law.
While the clarification settled the technical aspect of the decision, the incident has continued to divide opinion among supporters, making Portugal’s victory one of the most debated results of the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage.