Dramatic Late Goal Ruled Out by VAR
In a dramatic World Cup qualifier, Croatia thought they had snatched a 2-2 draw against Portugal with a 116th-minute equalizer from Josko Gvardiol. The goal sparked wild celebrations, but they were cut short after Video Assistant Referees intervened. The technology ruled that Mario Palisic was in an offside position when the ball reached him, disallowing the goal.
Micro-Touch Detected by Semi-Automated System
FIFA's semi-automated offside technology, which uses ball sensors and limb-tracking cameras, revealed that Igor Matanovic had made a faint header before the ball reached Palisic. This micro-touch, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, was enough to trigger the offside call. The system pinpointed the exact moment of contact, showcasing the precision of FIFA's officiating tools for the 2026 World Cup.
Croatian Protests and Fallout
Croatian players and fans furiously contested the decision, arguing that the contact was too minimal to affect the play. However, freeze-frame data later confirmed the offside ruling was accurate. The match had already seen 12 minutes of added time, and Portugal had taken a 2-1 lead in the 114th minute through a goal of their own. The disallowed equalizer left Croatia empty-handed, despite their late surge.
Technology Under Scrutiny
The incident has reignited debate over the use of semi-automated offside technology in football. While FIFA touts its accuracy, critics argue that such marginal calls disrupt the flow of the game. The system relies on a network of cameras and a sensor in the ball to track player positions in real time, making offside decisions faster and more precise than traditional VAR.
