Croatian Fans Throw Bottles On Pitch as VAR Denies Croatia Equaliser Against Portugal in FIFA World Cup 2026 Heartbreak (Watch Video)
Croatian fans erupted in protest as Josko Gvardiol's 103rd-minute equaliser against Portugal was controversially disallowed by VAR for offside in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Portugal won 2-1 after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos, ending Croatia's World Cup dream and sparking heated debate over VAR's.
Toronto Stadium witnessed an extraordinary display of World Cup drama and despair on Thursday, July 2, 2026, as Croatia's campaign ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Portugal. A pulsating Round of 32 clash culminated in a VAR decision that denied Josko Gvardiol a dramatic 103rd-minute equaliser, triggering an outpouring of anger and frustration from Croatian players and supporters, who responded by throwing bottles onto the pitch. Goncalo Ramos' Winner Helps Cristiano Ronaldo-Led Portugal Edge Past Croatia To Advance Into FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.
Croatian Fans Throw Bottles After VAR Denies Goal
@predictdotsport pic.twitter.com/YlwLtNuxzA
— @predictdotsport (@krabchinski) July 3, 2026
The match, a true heavyweight contest in the FIFA World Cup 2026, saw Croatia take a deserved lead in the 53rd minute through veteran winger Ivan Perišić. However, Portugal, led by their evergreen captain Cristiano Ronaldo, quickly responded. Ronaldo, at 41 years and 147 days old, made history by converting a 68th-minute penalty, becoming the oldest player ever to score in a World Cup knockout stage match. The Portuguese then snatched what appeared to be a winner in the 94th minute, with Gonçalo Ramos heading home from a Rafael Leão cross.
VAR Drama Ignites Controversy
The real flashpoint arrived deep into stoppage time. With the clock ticking past the 100-minute mark, Josko Gvardiol found the back of the net, seemingly levelling the score and sending the match into extra time. The Croatian bench and fans erupted in jubilation, believing their team had pulled off another famous World Cup comeback. However, celebrations were cut short as VAR intervened.
After a lengthy review, the referee, guided by the Adidas match ball's sensor chip technology, disallowed the goal. The decision hinged on a fractional touch by Croatian midfielder Igor Matanović on the initial cross, which then put Mario Pašalić in an offside position before Gvardiol ultimately finished. Mark Clattenburg, a FOX Sports rules analyst, explained that if Matanović touched the ball, it would render Pašalić offside. The ruling, confirmed by the ball's sensor chip, sparked a furious reaction, with Croatian fans hurling bottles and other debris onto the pitch in protest, temporarily halting play. Teary-Eyed Cristiano Ronaldo Pays Tribute to Diogo Jota After Portugal's FIFA World Cup 2026 Win Over Croatia (Watch Video).
Match Details & Key Moments
| Event | Time | Team | Player | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Goal | 53' | Croatia | Ivan Perišić | Converted a cross from Josip Stanišić. |
| Equaliser | 68' (Penalty) | Portugal | Cristiano Ronaldo | Oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match (41y 147d). |
| Winning Goal | 90+4' | Portugal | Gonçalo Ramos | Header from a Rafael Leão cross. |
| Disallowed Goal | 103' | Croatia | Josko Gvardiol | Ruled offside against Mario Pašalić (due to Igor Matanović's touch). |
What's Next?
Portugal's hard-fought 2-1 victory sees them advance to the Round of 16, where they are set to face Spain on Monday, July 6, at Dallas Stadium. For Croatia, the defeat marks the end of their World Cup journey, and likely the illustrious international career of their captain, Luka Modrić, who also featured in the match at 40 years old.
The controversy surrounding the VAR decision is expected to dominate football discussions for days to come, as fans and pundits debate the fine margins and impact of technology on the beautiful game.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 03, 2026 10:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
