Petar Sucic has revealed what Cristiano Ronaldo told him after Croatia were knocked out of the World Cup by Portugal in controversial circumstances on Thursday evening.

Croatia went into the match as underdogs but took the lead shortly after the half-time break when Ivan Perisic opened the scoring.

Ronaldo restored parity with 22 minutes remaining as he made no mistake from the penalty spot, before Goncalo Ramos gave Portugal the lead in stoppage-time.

Croatia thought they had equalised in the final seconds of the match when Josko Gvardiol found the net from close range. However, the goal was chalked off by VAR due to a controversial offside call.

FIFA have since released a statement explaining why the goal was chalked off.

REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

Inter Milan midfielder Petar Sucic was not happy at all with the decision to disallow the goal. He said after the match, per the BBC:

“The referee told us he didn’t see our striker touch the ball. He said that the sensor in the ball said it did. It’s really difficult to explain, but we expect an explanation. What I saw is that Matanovic didn’t touch the ball. Today is like that, luck was on their side.”

A devastated Sucic was comforted by Ronaldo at full-time. The 22-year-old revealed exactly what the legendary forward said to him during their embrace. He said, per the Mirror:

He added: “I feel empty, but proud of the team, how we played, especially the second half.

“We deserved a lot more, at least extra time in the end because we really played well and had a lot of chances. The goalkeeper defended well, they disallowed three of our goals, I would like someone to explain some of the referee’s decisions to me.

“There were too many situations that were questionable and went against us. In the end, we have to congratulate Portugal on getting through.”

Cristiano Ronaldo Speaks Out On Future

Marco Bello, Action Images via REUTERS

Ahead of the match, Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, revealed that he would retire from international football following the tournament.

Addressing those rumours after the game, the 41-year-old said, per AS: “Cristiano’s future is not important right now. I’ll talk about it… I’ll have time. After we win or lose, I’ll speak with my family and then make the best decision. I don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment anymore. Everything is done calmly now. Right now it’s about enjoying the present.”

On the game against Croatia, he said: “Today we had to know how to suffer. To win a competition of this magnitude, you have to know how to suffer. It was a very entertaining match for the fans.

“We controlled the game quite well in the first half, but the second half was much more chaotic. They scored, we got a little nervous, but the emotional turning point came when we converted the penalty.

“From then on, the game became easier. We still had some difficulties, but that’s what this competition is all about, and we have to keep moving forward.”

Portugal will face Spain on Monday, July 6 for a place in the quarter-final.

Arsenal are now being linked with a second Aston Villa star as they continue to mull over a potential big-money move for Morgan Rogers this summer. The Gunners have some careful squad planning to do this summer, hoping to take the next step up again after winning the Premier League but coming up short in the Champions League final.

Only penalties separated Arsenal from PSG in the final, but if Mikel Arteta is totally honest with himself, he will know PSG are currently another level above. But the Gunners are well on their way to becoming a dominant force, and they will believe they can get there with some careful recruitment this summer.

Arsenal want a new left-winger and likely a top number 8, and while they will likely have to replace some squad players who could be lured away, Arteta will want to be careful not to over-tinker with the core of his squad.

Arsenal linked with second Aston Villa squad

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal are interested in a move for Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa this summer. It’s reported Konsa is valued at £60million by the Midlands side, and that they may have to sell one of their big-money players this summer if they want to keep hold of Rogers.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Rogers, but with a reported asking price ranging from £100million to £130million, a deal could be out of the question. The Gunners may feel there is better value elsewhere, but they could take advantage of Villa’s determination to keep their prize talent.

Aware Villa may need to sell another player, Arsenal could move for Konsa, who is representing England at this World Cup. Arsenal do not strictly need a new centre-back, already able to call upon Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori, who all either specialise in the middle or are able to play there.

But after they were left short on the right side of defence for the Champions League final, with Ben White out and Timber having been struggling for fitness, it has been floated that the Gunners could strengthen on the right this summer. And if there is one thing we know about Arteta and his defensive preferences, is that he likes to sign defenders who can also play full-back, and Konsa fits the bill, able to comfortably play right-back.

The question is whether Arsenal are willing to commit so much money to a position they don’t really need to strengthen, but there could yet be an exit among one of the defenders mentioned this summer.

Konsa an ‘outstanding’ defender

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Konsa is coming off a superb season with Villa, following it up with steady performance at the World Cup. Former Villa boss Dean Smith, who signed Konsa twice in his career, said of the defender while on BBC 5Live: “He was one that was flagged up by the recruitment department at Brentford. I went to watch him against Shrewsbury in the playoffs. I remember he was playing right back at the time. He came in, he’s athletic, he’s good in the air, he’s a good defender.

“Man City played at Villa, I think it was last season, and Jack had come up to me after the game, and he was like, ‘I was thinking, I hope Ezri’s not playing it right-back, because I don’t want to be playing 1v1 against him.’

“I think that’s his biggest strength. He’s really calm on the ball, but 1v1 defending is outstanding.”

Manchester United have been dealt a number of blows during this transfer window in their bid to upgrade their midfield, and now they are being forced to look at alternative options.

The Red Devils had made Elliot Anderson their top target for the window, but he has left Nottingham Forest to sign for Man City in a club-record £116m deal, while Mateus Fernandes was also at the top of their shortlist, but they were gazumped by Tottenham Hotspur and he has moved to the north London club for £85m.

Now Michael Carrick and INEOS are looking at a number of alternative options that they could bring into the squad, and one star who has been shining at the World Cup has emerged as a potential target.

Man Utd Eyeing Tyler Adams Deal

According to BBC Sport, Man Utd are eyeing a potential move to sign Bournemouth star Tyler Adams this summer.

Adams, who has been described as ‘incredible’, has enjoyed a fine campaign at the Vitality Stadium with the Cherries, and is now part of the USMNT team at the World Cup this summer that has been performing exceedingly well, reaching the Round of 16 so far.

United have already completed a deal to bring in Ederson from Atalanta as one option, but at least two more midfielders are expected to be brought in to Old Trafford following news of Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury.

Adams is Premier League-proven, has plenty of years ahead of him, and could be seen as an ideal replacement for Casemiro with his defensive mindset and experience at the highest level.

It’s unclear how much a deal would cost, but Bournemouth are unlikely to be willing to sell him easily, as they prepare to feature in European competition for the first time in their history.

Man Utd and Adams Would Be Underwhelming

While Adams’ skillset and profile does fit what Man Utd are reportedly looking for for their squad, it’s hard to see how fans wouldn’t be somewhat underwhelmed by the American star.

Defensively, Adams has got a terrific engine, is a top tackler and is not afraid to put his foot in where it hurts. It’s also fair to say that he would be on the cheaper end of the cost scale compared to previous targets. But considering the names that have been linked with a move, Adams seems to be a level below that at least.

For the right fee it could be a good bit of business, but United would need to find a way to get fans on side over a deal for the former Leeds star.