Why was Croatia's 103rd-minute goal ruled out? FIFA provides official verdict

FIFA has officially explained the controversial VAR decision that denied Croatia a dramatic extra-time equaliser against Portugal in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash.

The incident sparked widespread debate after Josko Gvardiol thought he had rescued Croatia in the 103rd minute, only for the goal to be ruled out following a lengthy VAR review. FIFA has now clarified that the decision was backed by data generated through the tournament's Connected Ball Technology.

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FIFA explains why Croatia's late goal was disallowed

Croatia looked set to force the match to penalties after Gvardiol found the back of the net deep into extra time.

However, Norwegian referee Espen Eskas was instructed to review the incident after VAR flagged a possible offside in the build-up involving Igor Matanovic and Mario Pasalic.

Replays initially appeared inconclusive over whether Matanovic had made contact with the cross before the ball reached Pasalic, whose subsequent assist allowed Gvardiol to score.

FIFA later confirmed that the decision was made using Connected Ball Technology, with sensors inside the official Adidas Trionda match ball detecting a touch from Matanovic. As a result, Pasalic was judged to have received the ball from an offside position, leading to the goal being correctly disallowed.

According to FIFA, the Integrated Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors inside the ball are capable of registering even the slightest contact, providing officials with precise data to assist VAR in making accurate offside decisions.