The 2026 FIFA World Cup produced one of its most contentious moments yet in the round-of-32 clash between Croatia and Portugal. A late Croatian goal that would have levelled the match was disallowed, sending Portugal through to the round of 16 with a 2-1 victory — and sending Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić into a furious denunciation of the officiating.
“It was very bad refereeing,” Dalić told reporters, insisting his side had been denied legitimate free kicks throughout the match. But FIFA has defended the decision, pointing to data from the tournament’s “Connected Ball” technology. A chip embedded inside the Adidas Trionda match ball detected a near-imperceptible touch from Croatian striker Igor Matanović before the ball reached Joško Gvardiol, who was in an offside position. FIFA said the technology confirmed the disallowed goal was the correct call under the rules.
The episode has intensified debate about the role of technology in football — celebrated by some as a triumph of precision, criticized by others as robbing the game of its human element.
