FIFA has officially explained the technology-assisted offside decision that ruled out Croatia’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Portugal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.
The incident occurred in the final moments of the match after Joško Gvardiol bundled the ball into the net, appearing to send Croatia into extra time. However, following a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside, and Portugal went on to secure a 2-1 victory that booked their place in the Round of 16.
In a statement released after the match, FIFA said the decision was based on data from the Connected Ball Technology integrated into the official Adidas Trionda match ball.
“According to the data provided by Connected Ball Technology housed within the Adidas Trionda, the official match ball of the FIFA World Cup, it was proven that contact was made by Croatia’s #20 Igor Matanović in the build up to the goal against Portugal, allowing the referee to correctly determine offside and disallow the goal.”
FIFA added that the ball’s built-in IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensors detected a slight touch by Matanović before the ball reached Gvardiol.
The Adidas Trionda ball contains advanced motion sensors that track every contact with the ball in real time. During broadcasts, the detected touch is shown through the now-familiar “heartbeat graphic”, which helps viewers understand the exact moment of contact.
FIFA explained that the system gives match officials an unprecedented level of precision when assessing tight offside situations.
“IMU sensors housed within the Trionda ball are capable of determining any slight contact, displayed to viewers in the broadcast as a ‘heartbeat graphic’, and allowing officials an unprecedented level of data to make fast, accurate decisions.”
The key issue was whether Matanović had touched the ball before it reached Gvardiol.
Once the sensor data confirmed the contact, VAR determined that Mario Pašalić was in an offside position at the moment of Matanović’s touch. Because Pašalić subsequently became involved in the attacking sequence, the goal was correctly ruled out under the Laws of the Game.
The clarification provides a definitive explanation for one of the most controversial moments of the tournament.
Croatia had fought back bravely after Portugal equalised through Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty, and Gvardiol’s late finish initially appeared to rescue the match. Instead, the offside decision stood, and Portugal advanced thanks to Gonçalo Ramos’ stoppage-time winner.
The ruling means Portugal will face Spain in a heavyweight Round of 16 showdown, while Croatia’s World Cup campaign comes to an end in dramatic and heartbreaking fashion.
Credit Photo : FIFA
