How 'cricket technology' saved Ronaldo's Portugal

The disallowal of Croatia's stoppage-time equaliser has once again brought VAR and Snicko technology into the spotlight. When Josko Gvardiol found the net in the 13th minute of added time, it seemed the match was heading to extra time. But a VAR intervention changed the match's fate.

The controversy centred on Croatian striker Igor Matanovic, who appeared to attempt a header while the attack was being built. The question was whether he had touched the ball. If so, the goal would be disallowed for offside; if not, the goal would stand.

Video replays could not provide a clear answer. Ultimately, referee Espen Eskas relied on Snicko technology data to make his decision. The sensor data showed a clear 'spike', indicating contact between Matanovic and the ball. The goal was then disallowed for offside.

Snicko technology is primarily used to detect contact between the ball and a player. It has long been used in cricket — analysing sound waves to determine whether the ball hit the bat. The same technology is now being used in football, having been employed at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, and now at the ongoing World Cup.

According to FIFA, sensors inside the Adidas Triconda match ball detect the moment of contact and transmit the information instantly to the VAR room. Based on that data, it was confirmed that Matanovic had touched the ball and was in an offside position. The goal was therefore disallowed.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic expressed strong dissatisfaction after the match. "I won't comment too much on this, but I want to say the refereeing was very poor. Several fouls and set-pieces we deserved were not given. Of course, I don't want to use this as an excuse for defeat. But everyone has seen how such decisions kill the emotion of the match. VAR is taking away the emotion of football. Perhaps we have become overly dependent on technology," he said.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, however, defended the referee's decision. "Unfortunately, one of the two teams had to lose. But there was no wrong decision or luck involved here. It was a clear situation. Now there are sensors inside the ball, and that showed that the touch occurred," he said.

With this dramatic victory, Portugal eliminated Croatia and secured a place in the Round of 16. Ronaldo's side will now face another European powerhouse, Spain, in the quarter-finals.