Vancouver: The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash between Portugal and Croatia ended in high-octane controversy at Toronto Stadium, as a dramatic 103rd-minute equaliser by Joško Gvardiol was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), ultimately confirming a 2-1 victory for Portugal.
The incident, which occurred in the dying seconds of stoppage time, initially appeared to have saved Croatia from defeat. However, the goal was subjected to a lengthy review, shifting the focus to a seemingly harmless moment earlier in the attacking phase. Officials were scrutinising whether Croatian forward Igor Matanović had made contact with the ball before it reached Mario Pašalić.
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While the touch was nearly imperceptible to the naked eye, the decision rested on the use of Connected Ball Technology. The official Adidas Trionda match ball contains internal IMU sensors capable of detecting minute interactions. The data showed that Matanović had indeed made a slight flick on the cross. Because Pašalić was in an offside position at the precise moment of that contact, his subsequent involvement-setting up Gvardiol’s finish-was deemed illegal under the Laws of the Game.
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann, speaking on BBC Sport, clarified the technicality: “He was offside when the ball was last played by a team-mate, and the ball was deflected by the defender and not deliberately played, so the offside stands.” He added that the ball’s embedded “Snicko” technology provided the definitive proof of the touch.
The ruling triggered immediate outrage among the Croatian faithful in Toronto, when supporters hurled bottles and cans onto the pitch, forcing a brief stoppage in the final moments of play.
For the Croatian side, the decision was a bitter pill to swallow. Midfielder Petar Sučić questioned the reliance on sensors over visual clarity, telling the press, “He said that he has a sensor in the ball and he decided like that. But I don’t know what is this.”
Portugal’s victory, which also saw Cristiano Ronaldo score his first-ever knockout-stage World Cup goal, propels them into a Round of 16 derby against Spain on 6 July. Conversely, the heartbreak in Toronto marks a devastating end to Croatia’s campaign, in what may prove to be the final World Cup appearance for their 40-year-old captain, Luka Modrić.</