Croatia in VAR spotlight after Portugal defeat
Croatia found themselves at the center of another VAR controversy after Joško Gvardiol’s goal was disallowed in the 90th minute of their World Cup clash with Portugal. Last result: Portugal 2-1 Croatia (2026-07-02).
What happened in Portugal?
In the Round of 16 clash at the 2026 World Cup, Portugal edged past Croatia 2-1 thanks to a controversial VAR call. Gvardiol’s equalizer in the 90th minute stood null and void after the ball was deemed to have touched Igor Matanović’s head during a Portugal corner - not his hair.
Collina explains VAR: tech isn’t against emotion
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head of refereeing, broke his silence on the incident. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, he pointed to the ball’s sensor data as definitive proof. „The graph was crystal clear. You see the peak when the ball touches the Croatian attacker’s head, then a flat line, then another peak when it hits the Portuguese defender’s back.“
Collina stressed that VAR is a tool for referees, not a replacement. „We had two choices: create an Amish community where technology is banned or give the same tools to referees.“ He argued the investment in VAR is meant to be used as little as possible.
Why the call sparked global debate
Many fans and pundits felt the decision was too harsh, especially given the high stakes. Collina pushed back: „It’s far fairer for emotion to be rooted in the correct call than in a controversy that will be debated for weeks or decades.“ He framed technology as an aide, not an enemy of the game’s passion.
What’s next for the Croatians?
Croatia’s recent form reads 2W-0D-3L over their last five outings, with back-to-back losses sandwiched between two wins. Their next test comes on September 26, 2026, in Czechia, where they’ll aim to climb back into the top four.
