Croatia knocked out of World Cup after VAR cancels disputed goal against Portugal

Croatia were eliminated in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup after a 2‑1 defeat to Portugal. An equalising goal by Josko Gvardiol, which would have brought the score to 2‑2, was ruled out following a VAR review that detected a hair‑touch by Croatian forward Igor Matanović. The decision sparked intense debate in Croatia, with a Swedish VAR analyst explaining that the sensor registered the contact and that, under FIFA rules, hair is only considered part of the body if it significantly alters the ball’s movement. The controversy also spilled into social media, where Matanović’s hairdresser Luka Grbca posted a humorous video about the incident.

The match and the VAR ruling have become a focal point of discussion across Croatian media, highlighting ongoing questions about the interpretation of hair contacts in football’s laws and the impact of technology on critical game moments.