Portugal advances as VAR decision denies Croatia late equalizer
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 4:59 AM
Last updated Jul 3, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in the round of 16 at the World Cup on July 3. Croatia believed they had equalized in the dying moments with Josko Gvardiol's goal, only for it to be ruled out following a VAR check for offside involving Igor Matanovic. The use of Snickometer-style technology indicated a touch by Matanovic, leading to chaos among Croatia fans, who reacted by throwing objects onto the pitch. This controversial ending likely marks the conclusion of Luka Modric's World Cup career, while Ronaldo will continue in the tournament. The match was characterized by high emotion and significant VAR drama.
- •Portugal leads Croatia 2-1 in the round of 16 match.
- •Gvardiol's 13th-minute stoppage-time goal ruled out by VAR.
- •VAR confirmed a touch by Matanovic officiated by Jarred Gillett.
- •Emotional scenes as Croatian fans express their frustration.
- •Ronaldo continues his World Cup journey after scoring earlier.
- 4:59 AMYahoo Sports — Huge VAR call prolongs Ronaldo's last dance but ends Modric's
- 4:42 AMBBC Sport — Huge VAR call prolongs Ronaldo's last dance but ends Modric's
"Veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo gets another day on the World Cup stage after Croatia are denied a late equaliser by a huge VAR call.
"Veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo gets another day on the World Cup stage after Croatia are denied a late equaliser by a huge VAR call.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 4:59 AMHuge VAR call prolongs Ronaldo's last dance but ends Modric's
Veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo gets another day on the World Cup stage after Croatia are denied a late equaliser by a huge VAR call.
- BBC SportJul 3, 2026, 4:42 AMHuge VAR call prolongs Ronaldo's last dance but ends Modric's
Veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo gets another day on the World Cup stage after Croatia are denied a late equaliser by a huge VAR call.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
EPL•Jul 3, 2026, 5:11 AMManzambi dazzles as Switzerland cruise into last 16 with win over Algeria- EPL•Jul 3, 2026, 5:10 AMCarlos Baleba: Why United are not pushing harder revealed
- EPL•Jul 3, 2026, 5:00 AMUnlocking the Vault: Why Sunderland Holds All the Cards in the New SCR Era
- EPL•Jul 3, 2026, 5:00 AMOn This Day (3 July 1999) Reid Makes Bould Move To Get Top Flight Experience
- EPL•Jul 3, 2026, 5:00 AMFan Letters: Legends Way Concerns and the Xhaka Transfer Saga
- EPL•Jul 3, 2026, 5:00 AMCan Habib Diarra And Noah Sadiki Use The World Cup As A Springboard?
