Modric Hits Out at VAR After Croatia's Heartbreaking Loss
Luka Modric launched a scathing attack on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system following Croatia's 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which eliminated his team from the tournament. The veteran midfielder argued that his side was harshly treated after a controversial penalty decision and a disallowed late equaliser.
Speaking after the match in Toronto, Canada, Modric questioned the consistency of officiating and suggested that bigger footballing nations often receive more favourable calls in key moments.
Controversial Penalty Decision Sparks Outrage
Portugal secured their qualification when Goncalo Ramos headed them into a 2-1 lead in the fourth minute of stoppage time. However, the match was marred by a contentious penalty awarded earlier, which Modric insisted was not a foul. "Yes, we deserved a lot more. Some things didn't go our way. That penalty... If it were the other way around, VAR would never have been included. I said about VAR at the beginning, when it was first introduced, that I didn't like it," Modric stated, as quoted by Jutarnji via Goal.com.
He elaborated on the incident: "This is not a penalty. Both players are replaying, pushing. [Nikola] Vlasic did not pull it, he held it, and both fell. That is why you cannot judge such a penalty in a match like this. That is why I say it must be used if the mistake is 200 per cent. If you can treat something this way and that, you have no say in it. That annoys me and always works to our detriment."
Disallowed Goal Adds to Croatia's Frustration
Croatia believed they had forced extra time nine minutes into stoppage time when Josko Gvardiol found the back of the net, sparking jubilant celebrations. The goal was initially awarded as it appeared Matanovic had not made contact with Ivan Perisic's cross before Mario Pasalic became involved in the move. But referee Espen Eskas was called to the pitchside monitor after Connected Ball Technology registered a slight touch from Matanovic, reportedly as minimal as a brush off his hair.
According to Goal.com, the contact was not visible in television replays, but it proved decisive. The touch meant Pasalic had received the ball from a teammate while in an offside position before setting up Gvardiol, prompting the goal to be overturned and ending Croatia's hopes of a comeback.
Modric's Long-Standing Concerns About VAR
Modric reiterated his long-standing concerns about VAR, arguing that the technology is being applied inconsistently across matches. He said it should only intervene in situations involving a clear error, and suggested that Croatia have often been on the wrong end of tight, marginal decisions in key moments. The 40-year-old midfielder's comments reflect a growing frustration among players and fans regarding the use of technology in football.
The defeat marks another early exit for Croatia, who had reached the semi-finals in 2022 and the final in 2018. Modric's future with the national team remains uncertain, but his criticism of VAR is likely to reignite debates about the system's implementation in major tournaments.
