Sports
PGMOL Release VAR Audio For Disallowed Virgil van Dijk Goal
Manchester City were well worth their 3-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday but Virgil van Dijk controversially had a first-half equaliser ruled out for offside after Andy Robertson was claimed to have blocked Gianluigi Donnarumma’s line of vision.
If the goal had been awarded, then the two sides may have been heading in at half-time at 1-1 despite the hosts’ dominant performance and the visitors rarely having a look in. But Van Dijk found the back of the net with a glorious header in the 38th minute and thought he’d levelled matters until referee Chris Kavanagh ruled the goal out.
Arne Slot looked perplexed at the decision, and it was yet another of a long list of questionable calls made by VAR and the PGMOL this season. VAR referee Michael Oliver and his assistants were on duty at the time and their discussions between themselves and with Kavanagh have been released.
VAR’s Intervention: What Was Said in Stockley Park?
The latest edition of Sky Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up with Howard Webb saw the PGMOL chief and Michael Owen reflect on Van Dijk’s disallowed goal and whether the right decision was reached. During their analysis, the VAR intervention audio was played, providing insight into the thought process.
The assistant video assistant referee (AVAR) could be heard stating:
“Robertson, Robertson, Robertson, Robertson. Robertson’s in line of vision, right in front of the keeper. He’s ducked under the ball. He’s very, very close to him. I think he’s in line of vision. I think he’s been impacted mate.”
On-field Referee Kavanagh responded:
“Ok, so offside then… I think offside.”
Oliver, fronting VAR on the day used the technology to rewind and go over the potential offside against Robertson:
“Checking the on field decision of offside against Andy Robertson. Delay, delay… So you’ve got a clear offside position. You’ve got a movement… Have you got a high-behind to show how high he is in terms of line of vision?”
The AVAR replied:
“I agree with the on-field decision, I think it’s offside…It’s a clear, obvious action that clearly impacts the goalkeeper.”
Oliver then spoke to Kavanagh to give a final decision:
“Chris, it’s Michael, confirming the on-field decision of offside against Andy Robertson. He is in an offside position, very close to the goalkeeper and makes an obvious movement directly in front of him.”
Reports claim that Liverpool have contacted the PGMOL with “serious concerns” regarding Van Dijk’s goal being disallowed over Robertson perceived to have been in an offside position and impacting the goalkeeper. They are said to have spoken to the organisation’s technical director, Webb, but he doesn’t seem to share their opinion on the matter.
PGMOL Chief Howard Webb’s Verdict
Webb pointed out that offside decisions involving players who don’t make contact with the ball but interfere with play are highly subjective. He suggested that Robertson was still impacting Donnarumma because he ducks after Van Dijk’s header whilst in an offside position:
“Interfering with an opponent where the offside position player doesn’t play the ball and the officials have to make a judgment whether the actions of that player impact an opponent, are some of the most subjective decisions that we have to make,” said Webb. Therefore, it’s no surprise that some people believe this goal should have stood, so I think it’s important that we look at the facts of what actually happened in this situation.”
Webb added:
“We know the corner comes in and the ball reaches Van Dijk. As the ball’s coming across the penalty area, the Manchester City players move out, they leave Robertson in that offside position in the heart of the six-yard box. When Van Dijk heads the ball forward, that’s the moment when we have to make an offside judgment about Robertson and about what he’s doing there. We know he doesn’t touch the ball but what does he do? Well, as the ball moves towards him, three yards out from goal, right in the middle of the six-yard box, he makes that clear action to duck below the ball.”
He continued:
“The ball goes just over his head, and the ball finds the goal in the half of the six-yard box where he is. Then, the officials have to make a judgment – did that clear action impact on Donnarumma, the goalkeeper, and his ability to save the ball? And that’s where the subjectivity comes into play.”
The PGMOL chief suggested that it was reasonable to go with the on-field decision:
“Obviously that’s the conclusion they drew on that. They looked at that position, they looked at that action, so close to the goalkeeper, and they formed that opinion. I know that’s not a view held by everybody but I think it’s not unreasonable to understand why they would form that conclusion.”
Webb further explained that the distance between the Liverpool full-back and the City goalkeeper was important:
“The player is so close to the goalkeeper, the ball’s coming right towards him and he has to duck to get out of the way of the ball – and they form the conclusion that that impacts Donnarumma’s ability just to dive towards the ball and make that save.”
He concluded:
“And then, of course, once they’ve made that on-field decision, the job of the VAR is to look at that and decide, was the outcome of offside clearly and obviously wrong? Only Donnarumma truly knows if he was impacted by this and, of course, we have to look at the factual evidence, and when we see that factual evidence of that position of the player ducking below the ball, so close to the goalkeeper, the VAR determines that the outcome of offside is not clearly and obviously wrong, and they stay out of it.”
City prevailed at the Etihad courtesy of goals from Erling Haaland (29′), Nico Gonzalez (45+3′) and Jeremy Doku (63′). But had Van Dijk’s goal stood, it would have been a vital equaliser in the 39th minute with the Reds second best and given a lifeline to build on a goal at that stage.
Slot made it clear that he felt it was the “wrong decision” not to award the goal and that it could have influenced the game in a “positive way” for his side. Their defeat means they sit eighth after 11 games with 18 points in a sorry start to their Premier League title defence.
Cristiano Ronaldo could be playing his final World Cup game in tonight’s Round of 32 meeting between Portugal and Croatia.
The legendary forward’s sister, Katia Aveiro, has dropped a massive bombshell about the 41-year-old’s plans once his World Cup campaign ends. He is captaining Portugal and looking to finally win the one trophy that has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.
Ronaldo remains a starter for his nation and has played every minute of his team’s tournament thus far. He scored a brace in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan amid criticism over his starting role in Roberto Martinez’s frontline.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Sister Drops Retirement Bombshell
There had been an expectation that this would be Ronaldo’s last World Cup campaign given his age. Some speculate that he may be enticed to continue playing international football until 2030 because the tournament is co-hosted by Portugal.
Ronaldo’s sister has claimed that the Al-Nassr striker will be closing the book on his international career. Aveiro told Portuguese outlet SPORT TV: “We have to enjoy these moments. It’s the last dance for two players, both for Croatia and for Portugal. The most important thing is to enjoy these 20-odd years that we’ve lived, won, and come so far.”
Aveiro added when asked about seeing him potentially captain his nation at Euro 2028:
“From the information I have, they can say goodbye. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s not today that they’re saying goodbye, but it’s soon. I believe this is their farewell.”
Ronaldo is the greatest goalscorer in football history and is Portugal’s all-time top goalscorer. He has bagged 145 goals in 231 games for his country and won his first major trophy, the European Championship, back in 2016.
The former Manchester United star has yet to win the World Cup and watched longtime rival Lionel Messi lift the trophy in 2022. The closest he has come to doing so was in 2006 when his nation reached the semi-finals.
Should Ronaldo announce his retirement from international football, his sole focus will be on club football with Al-Nassr. The Portuguese hero signed a record-breaking new two-year contract with the Saudi giants in June 2025.
The Real Madrid icon previously vowed to continue playing football until he reaches 1000 goals. He said back in June:
“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated. My passion is high, and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe.”
Ronaldo currently sits on 969 goals for club and country, which could mean he’ll look to use his last season to try and reach the 1000 milestone. He has enjoyed an incredible career, which includes winning five Champions League trophies and rivalling Messi for the Ballon d’Or and in El Clásico.
World Cup: IShowSpeed Breaking Strict Canada Rule to Watch Cristiano Ronaldo
The American streamer wants to attend Portugal vs Croatia.
Spain eased into the last 16 of the World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria in Los Angeles, goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro doing the damage as Luis de la Fuente’s side finally found the fluency that had eluded them for much of the group stage.
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria, appearing in their first World Cup knockout tie since 1954, gave a spirited account of themselves without ever truly threatening an upset, and Spain now turn their attention to a round of 16 clash against either Portugal or Croatia.
Spain took the lead in the 38th minute when Marc Cucurella picked out Mikel Oyarzabal inside the box, and the forward made no mistake in guiding a composed finish beyond Alexander Schlager. Austria pushed for an equaliser without ever really testing Unai Simon, before Pedro Porro’s header and Oyarzabal’s tap-in put the game out of reach.
Spain Player Ratings
Marc Cucurella was one of the standout performers for La Roja, grabbing two assists and being a constant menace down the left throughout.
Oyarzabal and Porro took their chances well when they arrived, while Alex Baena caught the eye with his energy and the assist for the second goal. Lamine Yamal had flashes of brilliance without quite hitting his ceiling, nutmegging Austrians at will, and Spain’s defence was rarely troubled behind a dominant midfield. Off the bench, Mikel Merino added fresh legs late on to help Spain see out the closing stages with minimal alarm.
|
Player |
Rating |
|
Unai Simon |
6.5 |
|
Pedro Porro |
8 |
|
Aymeric Laporte |
7 |
|
Pau Cubarsi |
7 |
|
Marc Cucurella |
9 |
|
Rodri |
6.5 |
|
Pedri |
7.5 |
|
Dani Olmo |
6.5 |
|
Alex Baena |
7.5 |
|
Mikel Oyarzabal |
9 |
|
Lamine Yamal |
7.5 |
|
Mikel Merino (sub) |
6 |
|
Ferran Torres (sub) |
6 |
Austria Player Ratings
Marcel Sabitzer was the standout performer among those who weren’t wearing a Spain shirt. He was a constant source of quality deliveries from the left and the architect of Austria’s most dangerous moments throughout.
Sasa Kalajdzic almost snatched a goal within seconds of coming on, glancing a header narrowly over the bar from a Sabitzer cross, and Austria can leave the tournament with their heads held high after reaching the knockout stages in a World Cup for the first time since 1954.
|
Player |
Rating |
|
Alexander Schlager |
6 |
|
Stefan Posch |
6 |
|
David Alaba |
6.5 |
|
Kevin Danso |
6 |
|
Konrad Laimer |
6.5 |
|
Nicolas Seiwald |
6 |
|
Xaver Schlager |
6 |
|
Marcel Sabitzer |
7.5 |
|
Romano Schmid |
6 |
|
Paul Wanner |
6 |
|
Michael Gregoritsch |
6 |
|
Florian Grillitsch (sub) |
6 |
|
Carney Chukwuemeka (sub) |
6 |
|
Sasa Kalajdzic (sub) |
6.5 |
|
Marko Arnautovic (sub) |
6 |
Cucurella and Oyarzabal Combine To Break The Deadlock
Spain were the dominant force for the best part of 40 minutes without ever really threatening, before Cucurella’s quality finally told. The left-back did the legwork down the flank, picking out Oyarzabal inside the box, and the forward guided it beyond Schlager to break Austria’s resistance. It could have been more before that, with Cucurella having a strike ruled out for interference on the Austrian goalkeeper when we reacted fast to a loose ball following a corner.
Pedro Porro’s First International Goal
Spain put the game to bed midway through the second half, when Cucurella again started the move, feeding Baena on the left, and the Villarreal man put in a cross for Porro to head home his first international goal. Kalajdzic almost pulled one back moments later, but Austria’s resistance ultimately broke, with de la Fuente’s substitutions helping Spain see out the closing stages in complete control.
American streaming sensation IShowSpeed is risking a breach of his own rule in his attempt to watch Cristiano Ronaldo in action.
Ronaldo is set to captain Portugal in tonight’s World Cup Round of 32 clash against Croatia at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. Speed has attended and streamed games throughout the tournament.
The YouTuber is a Ronaldo superfan and has followed the former Manchester United star around the globe, including watching him play for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. He had been looking to attend Portugal’s meeting with Croatia but his plans have been thrown into jeopardy.
Speed Had Sworn Not to Visit Canada
Speed sent out an urgent message on X after his plane to Canada was cancelled. He wrote to his followers: “Who has a jet or plane in san francisco???? i need to get to toronto my plane got cancelled and now i can’t see ronaldo play this is so bad please helpppppoppp.”
Should the 21-year-old manage to board a flight to Toronto, he’ll be visiting the country for the first time. He previously swore to never visit Canada due to a family grievance.
Back in May 2025, Speed revealed that his grandfather had been killed by a Canadian. He told his fans on a livestream:
“Chat, my granddad got killed by a Canadian, bro. That’s why, out of respect, I don’t think I will, maybe never, or chat, I may go to Canada. But out of respect for my grandad, I just don’t think that’s, like, you know what I’m saying?”
Speed plans to livestream Portugal’s encounter with Croatia on his YouTube channel. The stream is set to go live one hour before kick off and he’s in a rush to get to the stadium in time due to his flight being cancelled.
The popular streamer has already attended several World Cup games held in the USA. He has embarked on a tour in collaboration with FIFA and even met with president Gianni Infantino ahead of the tournament co-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speed Predicted World Cup Glory For Ronaldo
Ronaldo has yet to win a World Cup during his illustrious career and it’s the one trophy evading his glistening trophy cabinet. This is likely his last chance to do so as he is now 41 and will be 45 when the tournament is co-hosted by Portugal in 2030.
Speed vowed to attend as many games as possible including every Portugal game to watch the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. He told FOX Sports: “The World Cup is in America, right? So, I can be anywhere. Obviously, I’m pulling up to every game, every Portugal game.”
Speed backed Ronaldo to finally become a world champion after he captained Portugal to the UEFA Nations League in June 2025:
“I truly believe that Cristiano Ronaldo is going to win the 2026 World Cup. Y’all heard it from me, IShowSpeed. Ronaldo is winning the 2026 World Cup. He just won the Nations League. That’s just an appetiser; the World Cup is the real meal, and they’ve got it. Portugal’s squad is looking good.”
If Portugal beat Croatia, they will face Spain, who beat Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 earlier in the day. Should Roberto Martinez’s team advance to the quarter-finals, they could face the USA, posing a massive dilemma for Speed given his admiration for Ronaldo.
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