Reasons why Croatia's last equalizer was disallowed by VAR
Portugal went ahead after Croatia's last-gasp VAR Münci ruled Josco Guardiola offside.
In the match between Croatia and Portugal in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, Josco Guardiol scored a goal in the 102nd minute to give Croatia an equaliser. But VAR came in and ruled the goal offside, which was really tough.
Mario Basalic is Croatia's 20th man when Ivan Perisic goes in to score. He was Croatia's 15th player to score earlier. FOX Sports rules expert Mark Clattenburg said during the match broadcast, "Whenever Paul is trailing, Croatia's 20th man is offside when he touches the ball, but if he doesn't touch the ball, the 15th man is not offside."
VAR initially thought Basalic's ball came from a rebound from Portugal's Renato Veiga, which ruled him offside. But after a VAR review, Basalic was ruled offside when Croatia's Igor Madanovic touched the ball.
Adidas' World Cup ball has a number of leading features in the tournament, including a sensor chip that helps transmit information to VAR and video match officials. "This sensor sends a signal 500 times a minute, which is very attractive," said Hannes Schäfke, head of football innovation at Adidas.
Croatia's exit could be Luka Modric's last appearance at the World Cup, a tainted system for him. Portugal, thanks to a last-minute goal by Gonzalo Ramos in the 94th minute, will next face defending champions Spain.
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