Portugal Croatia VAR fury: Eskas show rocks World Cup

A VAR storm swallowed Portugal Croatia long before the final whistle, and Portugal’s 2-1 Round of 32 win will be replayed less as a comeback than as a case file. The Portugal Croatia highlights show Ivan Perišić scoring at 53', Cristiano Ronaldo levelling from a 68' penalty and Gonçalo Ramos deciding it at 90', but the noise is elsewhere.

Portugal Croatia offside row ignites outrage

The flashpoints cited after the match were the offside on Sučić, the disputed Veiga penalty and the offside on Matanović. The process, not just the result, became the story.

Wayne Rooney called it \"daylight robbery\" and said Ronaldo and Roberto Martínez should know they did not deserve the win. Thierry Henry said the referee and VAR had \"completely ruined\" a World Cup moment, while Luka Modrić claimed the referees \"did everything to favour Portugal\". Erling Haaland posted \"Croatia Robbed\"; Joe Cole called it \"one of the worst decisions at a World Cup ever\"; Jürgen Klopp said Croatia were \"really robbed\"; Zlatan Ibrahimović asked why FIFA shows so much favouritism to Ronaldo and Portugal; and Pierluigi Collina said the penalty was \"simply not a penalty\".

Ronaldo award call deepens the disbelief

Then came another provocation: the journalist notes state FIFA named Ronaldo player of the match. On VavaSport’s confirmed card, Perišić is the Man of the Match with a 7.9 rating and Croatia’s goal; Ronaldo’s scoring impact was the penalty equaliser before he went off at 82'.

Portugal survives as Croatia exits furious

The football itself was not simple. Portugal had 61% possession, 15 shots to Croatia’s 13 and nine corners to five, yet Croatia forced six shots on target to Portugal’s three. That contradiction is why the argument will not fade: Portugal controlled territory, Croatia tested the goal more often, and the decisive calls framed everything.

Ramos’ 90' header completed the comeback and sent Portugal through. Croatia, second in Group L after reaching the knockouts, are out of the World Cup with Perišić’s opener buried under controversy.

Match Information

Competition: World Cup, Round of 32. Date & Time: Friday 3 July 2026, 01:00 CET. Venue: BMO Field, Toronto. Referee: Espen Eskas, Norway.