Croatia fans erupt after would-be tying goal ruled offside

Article content

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source 

Article content

A World Cup Round of 32 game ended in anger and frustration, and especially in the heat-of-the-moment reaction from Croatian fans — controversy.

Article content

A wild night at Toronto Stadium seemed headed for extra periods when deep in second half added time Josko Gvardiol had appeared to score the equalizer for Croatia.

An emotional night hit its crescendo when VAR administered by FIFA officials ruled no goal, determining that Mario Pasalic was offside on a play that would have dramatically altered the match and surely sent it to extras. Instead, the disappointment for Croatia was punctuated by anger and claims of wrongdoing.

While the consensus among soccer experts was that the correct call was made, overheated Croatian fans, the majority of whom were populating the south end of the stadium where the would-be tying goal crossed the line, vociferously disagreed.

Dozens of bottles soon littered the field, punctuated by loud booing from the Croatians. The players were crestfallen, especially after the final whistle blew not long afterwards.

Article content

“It’s a shame one of the two teams had to lose today, but the call is clear,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “We were fortunate with the moment, but it was a clear moment.

“The technology helps uphold the decision.”

As the Croatian players were shocked at the result, especially after the lengthy review by officials, Portugal players erupted in celebration as their team’s two second-half goals to erase a 1-0 deficit held up.

Luka Modric, the Croatian legend who quite likely played his final World Cup match, appeared stunned at the ruling, the heartbreaking verdict sending Portugal off to the Round of 16.

It was a wild ending to an incredible night in theatre, one in which four would-be goals — two per team — were ruled to be offside.

What did Croatia think?

Technology aside, and even after the heat of the moment, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić wasn’t buying any of the explanations, logical, technological or otherwise.

“The refereeing was really bad,” Dalic said via a translator at his post-match press conference. “It was very bad refereeing but Croatia lost.”

The players, meanwhile, were miffed at the ruling, which decreed that Igor Matanovic had headed the ball before it reached Pasalic. Replays show it was the slightest of contact. VAR employed its added technology.

“The referee said that he didn’t see our striker touch the ball,” said Croatia midfielder, Luca Sucic. “He said that they have a sensor in the ball and he decided like that.

“It’s really difficult to explain but we expect somebody will explain to us. Because what I saw, Matanovic didn’t touch the ball, so for me it’s a regular goal.

“Today luck is on their side.”

Article content

Why the ruling?

As Martinez noted, the chips embedded in the balls used at the World Cup can determine whether there was contact, which ultimately determined that Croatia’s Matanovic did in fact make contact.

“The ball has a chip, that is why it was clear,” Martinez said. “The sensor of the ball shows that the ball was touched. The play was offside. It is an objective opinion.”

But where the controversy comes into play is that without that technology, would VAR have determined the play to be offside? Moot point in the aftermath, but a painful one for Croatia and their supporters.

While the “connected ball technology” is well known within the sport, it was news to some, leading to some of the negative reaction to the call.

Share this article in your social network