Portugal eliminated from World Cup

In a group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1, securing their place in the preliminary quarter-finals. In this game, the video assistant referee (VAR) system and new technological developments played a decisive role, rather than the players themselves.

Match Development and Goals

Croatia started the game confidently when Ivan Perišić scored after a superb cross from Josip Stanišić, giving the team an advantage. In response, Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo equalized with a penalty. This was Ronaldo's first goal in the World Cup playoffs.

As the match approached extra time, Portugal's coach Roberto Martínez made a tactical decision, substituting Ronaldo for Rúben Neves. This exchange proved effective: Gonçalo Ramos scored with a header following an accurate cross from Rafael Leão, increasing Portugal's lead to 2-1.

Controversial Moment and VAR Intervention

After this, Croatia intensified its play. In the 103rd minute, Ivan Perišić delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area, which Josko Gvardiol headed in. The assistant referee did not raise the flag, and Croatian players and fans began celebrating, believing the match would go into overtime. However, VAR soon began reviewing the entire episode.

The analysis revealed that forward Igor Matanović barely touched Perišić's cross. This touch was almost imperceptible on television replays, but the Adidas Trionda ball used in the 2026 World Cup recorded this contact. The new technology, a motion sensor embedded in the ball, records data on every touch in real-time. The sensor confirmed that at the moment of contact, Mario Pašalić was in an offside position. Subsequently, Pašalić passed to Gvardiol, who scored the goal. Since the offside began with this touch, VAR recommended disallowing the goal.

Technology and Team Reaction

After the goal was disallowed, Croatian players approached the referee, loudly protesting the decision. Many players argued on the field. Although it was unclear from television replays whether Matanović touched the ball, VAR had data from motion sensors and semi-automated offside technology upon which the decision was based.

The new technology, being used for the first time at the 2026 World Cup, is compared to the snickometer in cricket, although the operating principles of these technologies are different. In cricket, the microphone is used to detect contact between the bat and the ball, whereas the motion sensor in the FIFA smart ball records every touch and the slightest change in the ball's direction. It was with this technology that VAR made a decision that was almost impossible to discern with the naked eye or during a normal replay viewing. For Croatia, this was a serious blow. At the same time, Portugal, having won 2-1, advanced to the Round of 16, where they will face World Cup champion Spain.

Portugal's 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the second match of Group K of the 2026 World Cup has attracted attention from foreign publications. Special attention is paid to the achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored goals in six World Cups.

Reaction of British Media

The British newspaper The Guardian noted the end of a ten-match goal drought for CR7, writing: 'Ronaldo ends his scoring drought as unstoppable Portugal 'crushes' Uzbekistan.'

The publication also raised the question of whether this is turning into a battle between 'golden oldies' for the 'Golden Boot', referencing Lionel Messi's five goals in the tournament and the presumed response of the Portuguese captain, who scored twice and entered the record books again by scoring in his sixth World Cup.

Position of Other Publications

The Independent, another British publication, believes that Ronaldo has 'silenced the World Cup critics'. Furthermore, the Portuguese national team clearly responded to doubts that arose after the draw in the first round against the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-1).

International agencies also highlight Portugal's triumph. The Spanish agency EFE notes that Ronaldo 'joined the celebration of Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland on record day', while highlighting two goals by the Portuguese footballer that made him the first to score in six World Cups and the second oldest player to score in a World Cup, at the age of 41 years and 138 days, trailing only Moroccan Roger Mille, who scored at 42.

International Resonance

The international resonance of Portugal's victory is mixed with Ronaldo's achievements, who once again showed himself in the best light for the international press. Headlines include phrases such as: 'Broke the record, and Ronaldo is back', 'Finally got rid of setbacks', 'CR7 breaks records at the Cup and leads Portugal's victory over Uzbekistan', and 'Ronaldo shouts protest and scores in Portugal's victory over Uzbekistan.'

For the Spanish sports publication AS, Cristiano Ronaldo has once again demonstrated his habit of responding to criticism with goals or brilliant performances. In Spain, the newspaper Marca views Portugal's victory as a direct answer to recent days of doubt, while Sport classifies the performance as a release after the days following the draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

While many publications praised the Portuguese footballer's performance, the French specialized publication L'Équipe chose irony, stating: 'We shouldn't have bothered him.' In its article, the Gallic magazine emphasizes the ease of Portugal's triumph over Uzbekistan, which could not compete with the result, but mainly highlights CR7's game and his scoring of two goals.

The Portuguese national team will return to the pitch during the World Cup.