Ronaldo advances while VAR controversy denies Croatia's late equalizer against Portugal

On July 3, 2026, a dramatic VAR call in Toronto saw Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal defeat Croatia 2-1, eliminating the team from the World Cup while extending Ronaldo's tournament journey. Croatia believed they had equalized in stoppage time, only for a contentious offside decision to negate the goal, leaving fans furious and questioning the technology's impact on football.

VAR Decision Sparks Outrage

The late drama unfolded when Croatia's Josko Gvardiol appeared to score in the 13th minute of stoppage time. However, a video assistant referee review determined that Igor Matanovic had touched the ball during the build-up, leading to the goal being ruled offside. Norwegian referee Espen Eskas had to review multiple replays before concluding that the Snickometer technology indicated a touch.

This decision was met with chaos as Croatian fans expressed their anger, throwing plastic bottles onto the pitch. The disallowed goal not only dashed Croatia's hopes but also marked a poignant moment for 40-year-old Luka Modric, likely ending his World Cup career.

Technology's Role in Modern Football

The Snickometer technology, originally designed for cricket, has been increasingly adopted in football to determine the fine margins of offside calls. The Adidas Trionda match ball used in this tournament contains a microchip that detects touches, providing real-time data to referees. FIFA confirmed that this technology was pivotal in the decision to disallow Croatia's late equalizer.

• Snickometer technology detects ball touches.
• Adidas Trionda match ball features a microchip.
• VAR has been controversial in multiple tournaments.

Portugal's manager Roberto Martinez acknowledged the emotional toll of the match, stating, "It’s a shame one of the two teams had to lose. But there is no bad decision or lucky decision. It was a clear moment." In contrast, Croatia's Zlatko Dalic criticized the officiating, lamenting the emotional impact of VAR on the game.

Key Moments of the Match

The match saw several pivotal moments, including:

1. Ronaldo scoring his first World Cup knockout goal.
2. A penalty awarded to Portugal that led to an equalizer.
3. The controversial disallowed goal that ended Croatia's hopes.

Ronaldo's journey in the tournament continues, despite the emotional rollercoaster of this match. His sister had previously referred to the tournament as his "last dance," adding to the drama surrounding his performance.