Portugal wins against Croatia in a nail bitting round of 32 match and qualifies for the next round.
Portugal were in full control of the match momentum during the first half and created the best chances. Bruno Fernandes went for goal twice but his shots were blocked, and Cristiano Ronaldo just failed by some inches to connect with a Pedro Neto cross to put Portugal in front before the halftime whistle.
However, the game scenario totally changed after the break, with Croatia returning as the better side. Mateo Kovačić took shot on the target but hits the side post. Just moments later, Ivan Perišić was given enough time to control the ball in Portugal's box with three touches, putting it into the back of the net in the 53rd minute.
Portugal were under immense pressure after conceding and desperately searched for an equalizer. Ronaldo controlled a high ball and flicked it smoothly over the Croatian goalkeeper, but just when he thought he had scored his first ever World Cup knockout goal, it was ruled offside. Fortunately, his big moment was not far away. Roberto Martínez made a tactical quadruple substitution in the 63rd minute, taking off key players like Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and João Cancelo to reshape the lineup.Portugal adopted a heavily offensive approach by subbing on Goncalo Ramos for João Cancelo.
The breakthrough came when Nikola Vlašić brought down Renato Veiga off the ball. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Ronaldo, playing his ninth World Cup knockout game, maintained his calm and composure under intense pressure to score from the spot. Yet, seemingly to his surprise after putting in a strong performance, he was substituted in the 80th minute. Portugal then scored a dramatic late winner when Rafael Leão played in a great cross to Gonçalo Ramos, who headed it perfectly to put his side ahead.
Just when they thought the job was done, Portugal were shocked by a late equalizer scored by Joško Gvardiol in the 90+13th minute. It was ultimately ruled out by VAR using Connected Ball Technology (CBT), creating the most controversial moment of the match.
- Was it actually offside?
To understand the decision, one should know what Connected Ball Technology is. Croatia strongly believed the goal should have stood because, in their view, Igor Matanović who had jumped for a header in the middle before Mario Pašalić's scored had not touched the ball. Pašalić was onside when the original cross was played from the left wing.
The VAR, however, utilized the sensor inside the ball equivalent to cricket's 'Snick-o-meter' technology, which detects if a player or a bat has made contact with the ball, even if very lightly. The technology showed a distinct spike on the dial precisely when the ball passed Matanović’s head, proving he had indeed flicked it. Because of that touch, Pašalić was caught offside without any doubt.
Portugal now move on to their next challenge in the Round of 16, where they will face a Spain side that has looked in great form from the start of the tournament. They will need to learn from their mistakes made by the defensive line in this match if they want to keep their World Cup dream alive.