Watch: Croatia fans throw bottles onto the pitch after VAR drama denies last-minute equalizer against Portugal

Croatia fans throw bottles and cans onto the pitch after Croatia’s goal was disallowed (AP/PTI) Croatia suffered a heartbreaking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic VAR decision ruled out a stoppage-time equalizer in the last 32 against Portugal in Toronto.Manchester City defender Josko Guardiol thought he had saved Croatia with a 103rd-minute goal that sparked huge celebrations. However, the Norwegian referee Espen Eskas was asked to review the goal after a VAR check and eventually disallowed it for offside. The decision sparked outrage among Croatian fans, with some throwing plastic bottles and cans onto the pitch, delaying the restart.Watch:

Why was the goal disallowed?

The controversial moment centered on whether Igor Matanovic made contact with the ball before it got to Mario Pasalic, who was in an offside position, before assisting Guardiola’s finish.Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann explained the decision on BBC Sport.“He was offside when the ball was last played by a team-mate and the ball was deflected by a defender and was not played on purpose, so the offside is valid,” he said.“Snick, that proves 100% that he touched it with that flick.Croatian midfielder Petar Sucic questioned the decision after the match.“The referee said that he didn’t see that our side touched the ball. He said that there was a sensor in the ball and he made that decision. But I don’t know what it is,” Šucic said.“It’s really difficult to explain, but we expect someone to explain it to us, because if what I saw is that (Igor) Matanovic didn’t touch the ball. So for me it’s a regular goal, but I don’t know. I say we have to look better and a few more times. And they also told me that my goal is in a difficult situation.“They need more control because he made a decision in one second and the situation is difficult. I don’t know. It’s like that today. Luck is on their side.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos sealed Portugal’s victory

Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perisic early in the second half. Cristiano Ronaldo later equalized from the penalty spot after VAR awarded Portugal a free-kick for a foul on Renato Veiga. It was Ronaldo’s third goal of the tournament.After Ronaldo was substituted in the 81st minute, Goncalo Ramos scored the winning goal in the 94th minute to send Portugal into the round of 16, where they will face Spain in Dallas on July 6.The final whistle brought emotional scenes with Mateo Kovačić in tears and Luka Modric, likely playing his last World Cup at the age of 40, being comforted by former Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo. Later, an emotional Ronaldo donned the shirt of the late Diogo Jota as Portugal’s players celebrated with their fans.