Croatia's Disallowed Goal vs. Portugal: The Role of Chip-In-Ball Technology Explained
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal edged out 2018 finalists Croatia with a 2-1 victory, sealed by a late strike from Goncalo Ramos. Yet, the final moments brought drama when Josko Gvardiol seemed to score a last-gasp equalizer for Croatia.
The referee halted celebrations after consulting the video assistant referee (VAR) system, ruling the goal offside. This decision left Portugal clinging to their lead and advancing in the tournament.
Why Was Croatia’s Late Goal Disallowed?
In the 12th minute of stoppage time, Gvardiol found the net, appearing to level the match. But after VAR review, the officials decided the play was offside. The crux of the call involved whether Igor Matanovic had touched the ball just before Mario Pasalic received it while in an offside position.
Had Matanovic not made contact, Pasalic would have been onside when the ball was played from deep on the left flank, allowing the goal to stand. Instead, the touch placed Pasalic offside, nullifying the score.
Norwegian referee Espen Eskas also considered if Portugal defender Renato Veiga deliberately played the ball after it deflected off Matanovic’s head. Since Veiga only appeared to duck under the ball rather than control it intentionally, the offside ruling remained intact. Deflections like this do not overturn offside calls.
How Connected Ball Technology Influenced the Decision
The 2026 World Cup match ball, the Adidas Trionda, includes embedded sensors known as Connected Ball technology. This innovation played a key part in verifying whether Matanovic touched the ball.
At first, video replays suggested no contact occurred, which would have meant the goal was valid. But VAR had access to detailed data from the ball’s chip, displaying each touch as an audio waveform synced with video footage. A distortion in the waveform confirmed a slight touch from Matanovic’s head.
This subtle contact shifted the timeline of the pass, confirming Pasalic was offside at the critical moment, and the goal was disallowed.
Understanding Connected Ball Technology
FIFA, alongside adidas, developed this sensor-equipped ball to provide precise real-time data about its movement. The small inertial measurement unit inside the ball records acceleration and position 500 times per second, offering detailed insights during matches.
This data supports semi-automated offside decisions by pinpointing the exact moment a player touches the ball. It also helps review other incidents such as handballs or penalties, improving accuracy and fairness in officiating.
The Connected Ball technology resembles the Ultra Edge system used in cricket, where sound waves detect faint contact between bat and ball. By merging sensor data with stadium camera tracking, referees receive more reliable information to make tough calls.
