FIFA have released a statement following the controversial VAR call that denied Croatia a dramatic late equaliser in their Round of 32 clash against Portugal and led to their 2026 World Cup elimination.

Croatia thought they’d taken the game to extra-time when Josko Gvardiol bundled home in the 13th minute of stoppage time, but the goal was eventually ruled out after the video assistant referee intervened.

Igor Matanovic was judged to have got the slightest of touches on the cross that found Mario Pasalic, who was stood in an offside position. Pasalic’s touch fell to Gvardiol, who put the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Croatia Denied Late Equaliser After VAR Review

REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

However, it appeared impossible to determine from the replays whether Matanovic definitely got a touch on the ball with his head. Watch the incident below:

After reviewing the footage on the pitch-side monitor, Norwegian referee Espen Eskas announced to the crowd inside the Toronto Stadium: “Croatia player, number 20, touched the ball and headed it to the goalscorer. Final decision: offside.”

Croatia’s players reacted to the decision with a mixture of dismay and devastation. Luka Modric and co. felt their World Cup dream had been brought to an end in hugely controversial circumstances.

Portugal advance to the last 16, where they will face neighbours Spain on Monday night at the Dallas Stadium, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 68th-minute penalty and a late winner from Goncalo Ramos.

FIFA Explain How Decision Was Reached

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Amid the intense debate over whether VAR was right to disallow Croatia’s goal, FIFA have released a statement explaining how the decision was reached. The statement reads:

The ‘Snicko’ technology, best known for its widespread use in cricket, inside the Trionda ball was able to prove that Matanovic got a slight touch on the ball before it fell to Pasalic.

It seems the correct decision was reached thanks to the technology, despite suggestions VAR may have made an error. A rules expert has also cast their verdict over the incident.

Adidas confirmed after unveiling the Trionda in October 2025: “Match Day TRIONDA footballs also carry the latest evolution of adidas Connected Ball Technology in the form of an innovative new side mounted chip system. The 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor chip now sits inside a specially created layer in one of the four panels, rather than as a centre-mounted system held in place by a suspension system. The addition of counter-balances across the three other panels ensures continued flight stability and balance.

“Providing unprecedented insight into every element of the movement of the ball, the technology sends precise ball data to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in real time – which when combined with player position data and by applying artificial intelligence, helps match officials make faster offside decisions. Developed in close collaboration with Kinexon, adidas Connected Ball Technology can also aid match officials in identifying each individual touch of the ball, resulting in less time spent resolving specific incidents, including possible handball.”

Manchester United are said to be in talks with an attacker who has impressed in the Premier League and World Cup this season. Much has been made of United’s search for a new holding midfielder over recent weeks, with Michael Carrick searching for a replacement for Casemiro to add to the signing of Ederson early in the summer.

But Carrick also has other needs, and he is hoping to add another attacker to his squad before the start of the season, with more competition needed if the Red Devils are to climb into the title conversation and make an impact in the Champions League next season.

That search for a new attacker appears to have led them to another West Ham star after their failed pursuit of Mateus Fernandes

Man Utd begin talks with Summerville

via Reuters

GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs has reported that United have opened talks with West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville over a possible deal. Jacobs posted on X: “Exclusive: Manchester United open talks with West Ham over Crysencio Summerville. Direct club-to-club contact. Classified by Manchester United sources as exploratory at this stage, but the Dutch winger high in #MUFC thinking. Any bid could be contingent on Marcus Rashford.”

Rashford is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, carrying a reported asking price of £40million, but his future is not likely to be resolved before the end of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Summerville is set to cost around £50million this summer, and United could actually be helped by Tottenham’s £85million signing of Fernandes ahead of them, given the Hammers are now in an incredibly strong financial position as they prepare for life back in the Championship.

Summerville has earned his big move

Summerville was one of the standouts in a poor West Ham side last season, scoring seven and providing five assists, while he continued his good form in the World Cup with the Netherlands. The winger scored twice and provided two assists for the Dutch in their ill-fated campaign, with Ronald Koeman’s men losing on penalties in the Round of 32 against Morocco.

After Summerville came off the bench to win an FA Cup tie for West Ham last season, Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We knew that [we might need him], especially after we thought we might go to extra time. There were tired legs and we needed energy. Summerville helped us a lot.

“He’s doing a good job. He’s in a good moment. Forward players need this confidence, and he has that one-v-one [ability]. When he can use it in [these kinds of] spaces, he’s almost unstoppable.”

Portugal are through to the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 after winning perhaps the most dramatic game of the competition so far against Croatia.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s side are among the favourites to win the competition, but fell behind early in the second half to an Ivan Perisic strike. Ronaldo then stepped up to smash home a penalty to level things up before being taken off by Roberto Martinez.

Goncalo Ramos, leading the line in CR7’s absence, headed home the eventual winner. However, there was late controversy as Croatia believed they’d forced the game to extra time with a last-gasp equaliser.

Ex-Official’s Strong Verdict on Portugal vs Croatia Drama

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The ball was forced home by Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol in the 13th minute of stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations from Croatian supporters and players. But there was still a heartbreaking twist to come for Luka Modric and his teammates.

Referee Espen Eskas was urged by VAR officials to head to the monitor to give his verdict on a potential offside decision. It was incredibly hard to tell if the Croatia player got a touch on the ball before it landed at the feet of Mario Pasalic, leading up to the goal.

If it had taken a Croatian touch, then the goal would have been ruled offside. If it was judged to have missed the attacking player, then the game was heading for 30 more minutes. The Norwegian official opted for the former. Watch the controversy below.

It was an unusual situation to see a referee called to the screen to look at an offside call, but it came down to Eskas’ interpretation. Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann, who is working with BBC Sport throughout the summer, gave his thoughts on the incident.

Presenter Mark Chapman revealed he’d received a text message from the retired official, which stated that the referee’s decision was absolutely correct. He said:

Sensors within the ball determined that the attacking player flicked the ball on, and that meant his teammate was offside. Cann explained that the ‘snicko’ graphic viewers could see on-screen as the VAR check went on proved beyond doubt that the Croatia player got a touch. See the image below.

“That 100% proves that he touched it with the flick on,” he said. When asked by Chapman if he was sure there had been a touch, the ex-assistant replied: “Yes, I can tell 100%.”