Portugal Advances, Croatia Eliminated After Snicko Tech Offside Call

In the 2026 World Cup round of 32, Portugal defeated Croatia 2‑1. A late equaliser scored by Josko Gvardiol in the 112th minute was ruled out by VAR after the ball‑embedded Snicko chip detected an almost invisible contact on Croatian forward Igor Matanovic’s head, classifying the play as offside.

The decision triggered a pitch invasion, with Croatian fans throwing bottles and temporarily halting the match. Portugal secured a place in the round of 16, where they will face Spain, while Croatia’s campaign ended.

The incident highlights the growing influence of ultra‑precise sensor technology in football officiating and sparked debate over its impact on the sport’s human element.