FIFA has now released a statement following the highly controversial VAR decision that denied Croatia a dramatic late equaliser in their round of 32 against Portugal – and thus sent them out of the 2026 World Cup.
Croatia thought they had sent the game to extra time when Josko Gvardiol put the ball in the net in the 13th minute of added time. But the jubilation was short-lived – the goal was annulled after the video referee intervened.
Read: Croatia’s dream goal in the 103rd minute was annulled – due to an invisible touch
The decision hinged on a subtle detail: Igor Matanović was deemed to have made the slightest touch on the cross that found its way to Mario Pašalić, who was in an offside position. Pašalić’s touch rolled on to Gvardiol, who slotted the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
The problem? From the replays, it was almost impossible to see if Matanović had actually touched the ball with his head.
The judge’s announcement shocked everyone
After reviewing the on-screen footage at the pitch, Norwegian referee Espen Eskas made an unusual decision: He announced the decision directly to the crowd inside Toronto Stadium.
Croatia’s players reacted with a mixture of disbelief and despair. Luka Modrić and his teammates felt that their World Cup dream was shattered in highly controversial circumstances.
Portugal, on the other hand, will advance to the last eight, where they will face neighbours Spain on Monday night at the Dallas Stadium. Crucial for the Portuguese were Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty kick in the 68th minute and a late winning goal from Gonçalo Ramos.
FIFA explains: How the decision was made
Amid the intense debate over whether VAR was right or wrong, FIFA has now issued an official statement explaining the process behind the decision. It reads as follows:
FIFA further explains:
The technology that decided the game
The so-called Snicko technology – best known from its extensive use in cricket – sits inside the Trionda ball and was able to prove with certainty that Matanović got a slight touch on the ball before it fell to Pašalić.
Thus, it seems that the right decision was made, thanks to technology – despite the fact that many suspected that VAR might have made a mistake. A rules expert has also commented on the incident and supports the decision.
Adidas confirmed after the launch of the Trionda in October 2025:
Furthermore, the company explains:
One thing is certain: football’s technological revolution is here to stay. But for Croatia, it still feels like a bitter and cruel farewell to the championship.
