Goal denied to Croatia against Portugal: a highly contested VAR decision
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
The Croatian goal canceled at the end of the match against Portugal during the 2026 World Cup continues to be debated due to a VAR decision that was difficult to identify at the restart. This whistle deprived Croatia of a crucial equalizer.
During the match between Croatia and Portugal which was played in the final moments of the match, the Croatian selection thought they could snatch a point by equalizing in the last minute. However, this joy was short-lived as VAR intervened to cancel the goal, signaling offside.
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The decision taken by Dennis Higler, the VAR assistant for this meeting, caused considerable controversy. Indeed, during replays, it was difficult to clearly decide on the validity of the offside, leaving doubt about the correctness of the cancellation. This refereeing choice fueled an intense debate among observers, players and supporters, each with their own interpretation.
This key moment of the match became a major point of contention, as Croatia hoped to secure a draw against a Portuguese team led in particular by Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric. This decision is now one of the highlights of this 2026 World Cup meeting, still sparking many reactions.