CROATIA’S dramatic equaliser against Portugal was ruled out – due to technology nobody knew about.
Josko Gvardiol thought he had scored in the 103rd minute to make it 2-2 and send the game to extra-time.
Josko Gvardiol thought he had scored a 103rd-minute equaliser against Portugal Credit: Getty
Referee Espen Eskas ruled it out after watching the replay Credit: Getty
A spike on the snicko tech inside the adidas Trionda ball was enough Credit: BBC
The VAR call was immense drama at the end Credit: Getty
However, the goal was chalked off for offside.
TV replays appeared to show Igor Matanovic missed the ball as he attempted to flick it on.
And that would have meant, when the ball bounced off Renato Veiga, that Mario Pasalic was onside before teeing up the goal.
However, when the referee went to the VAR monitor, there was evidence Matanovic DID touch it.
That is because there was a spike on the ‘snicko’ tech inside the adidas Trionda used for the 2026 World Cup.
And that was enough to prove Matanovic got a flick on it and therefore enough to rule the goal out – sending Luka Modric and Croatia out and Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal through.
More to follow…
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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