How this cricket technology helped keep Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup dream alive

Cricket-inspired technology played a decisive role in Portugal's dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 victory over Croatia, ultimately helping Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup journey continue.

With Croatia seemingly having rescued a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time, a technology widely associated with cricket was used to overturn the goal, allowing Portugal to progress to the Round of 16.

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Cricket-style technology proves decisive in Croatia's disallowed goal

Croatia believed they had forced extra time when Josko Gvardiol bundled the ball into the net in the 103rd minute of the contest. The celebrations, however, were short-lived as the Video Assistant Referee initiated an offside review after identifying a possible touch in the build-up.

Unlike conventional replay analysis, officials relied on the Connected Ball Technology embedded inside the official Adidas Trionda match ball. The system, which functions similarly to cricket's famous "Snicko" technology, detected the slightest contact made by Croatia's Igor Matanovic before the ball reached Mario Pasalic.

That touch proved crucial because Pasalic was offside when he received the ball before setting up Gvardiol. The goal was subsequently ruled out after the referee reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.

The technology, first introduced in major football tournaments in recent years, uses a microchip inside the ball capable of registering every touch and transmitting the data instantly to VAR officials. Cricket fans are familiar with a similar concept through Snicko, which detects faint edges using sound waves to assist third-umpire decisions.

Portugal survive late scare to reach Round of 16

The dramatic VAR intervention ensured Portugal held on for a 2-1 victory over Croatia. Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perisic early in the second half before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot, becoming the oldest player to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout match.

Roberto Martinez's substitutions then paid off when Goncalo Ramos headed home the winner in stoppage time after meeting Rafael Leao's cross.

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Croatia's dramatic late effort appeared set to send the contest into extra time, but the Connected Ball Technology confirmed the decisive touch that resulted in the offside decision.

The victory kept Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup campaign alive, with Portugal now preparing for a blockbuster Round of 16 encounter against Spain.