Croatia’s late effort to level the score against Portugal in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match is ruled out after a VAR review. The goal involving Josko Gvardiol, scored in the 103rd minute, is denied following a check using FIFA’s connected ball technology and match-ball sensor data. Reports describe how VAR identifies that Igor Matanovic makes a slight touch before the ball reaches an offside player, Mario Pasalic, who is involved in the lead-up to the goal. Officials use the ball sensor system, described as “Snicko” and supported by the ball’s IMU sensor information and connected ball technology to determine contact. FIFA later confirms the decision is correct, stating the detected touch occurs ahead of the offside phase and therefore affects the outcome under the offside/VAR decision framework. The ruling prevents Croatia from drawing the match, and Portugal progresses after a 2–1 victory. Croatia’s players and fans express frustration with the VAR call, with the incident becoming a focus of post-match discussion.
VAR rules out Croatia’s 103rd-minute equaliser against Portugal after slight touch
Croatia’s late effort to level the score against Portugal in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match is ruled out after a VAR review. The goal involving Josko Gvardiol, scored in the 103rd minute, is...
- In the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match, Croatia’s 103rd-minute goal was disallowed after a VAR review.
- FIFA and match officials cite Connected Ball Technology (including ball sensor data) to confirm a slight touch by Igor Matanovic.
- VAR determined the touch happened before the ball reached Mario Pasalic, who was involved as an offside player in the move.
- Josko Gvardiol’s goal did not stand as a result of the VAR decision.
- Portugal advances with a 2–1 victory, while Croatia’s players and fans react to the ruling.
FIFA confirmed that Croatia's dramatic 103rd-minute equaliser against Portugal was correctly ruled out after Connected Ball Technology detected a slight touch by Igor Matanovic before the ball reached offside player Mario Pasalic. The decision, backed by the match ball's IMU sensor data, denied Croatia a late equaliser as Portugal advanced with a 2-1 victory.
1 hour agoOn Thursday, Croatia's stoppage-time equaliser against Portugal was ruled out after VAR determined that Igor Matanovic had made a slight touch before the ball reached offside player Mario Pasalic, who assisted Josko Gvardiol's goal. Officials used ball sensor "Snicko" technology to confirm the touch, sparking outrage among Croatian players and fans.
2 hours agoOn Thursday, Croatia's stoppage-time equaliser against Portugal was ruled out after VAR determined that Igor Matanovic had made a slight touch before the ball reached offside player Mario Pasalic, who assisted Josko Gvardiol's goal. Officials used ball sensor "Snicko" technology to confirm the touch, sparking outrage among Croatian players and fans.
2 hours agoThe FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia witnessed late drama as Josko Gvardiol's 103rd minute goal was disallowed by VAR.
5 hours agoThe FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia witnessed late drama as Josko Gvardiol's 103rd minute goal was disallowed by VAR.
5 hours ago
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