Croatia's journey in the FIFA World Cup concluded in dramatic fashion Thursday night in Toronto after a last-gasp equalizer in extra time was disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside call, handing Portugal a 2-1 victory and a spot in the Round of 16.
Heartbreak in Extra Time
The decisive moment came in the 103rd minute when a ball was sent into the box. It appeared to slightly graze the head of Croatian forward Igor Matanović before a Portugal defender deflected it to Mario Pašalić, who then put it in the net. Initially, it seemed Croatia had pulled level, potentially due to an own goal by Portugal's Ruben Neves. However, a lengthy VAR review determined that Matanović's touch, however slight, had put Pašalić in an offside position.
The controversial decision, confirmed by video review, led to the match's final whistle moments later, sealing Croatia's elimination. The final score remained 2-1 in favor of Portugal, who are set to face Spain next.
Modrić's Potential Farewell
The match carried significant weight for Croatian star Luka Modrić, as it is likely to be his final World Cup appearance. The pre-match narrative had also focused on the potential World Cup swansongs for both Modrić and Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo, both considered icons of the sport.
Prior to the game, Portugal's head coach Roberto Martinez acknowledged the legendary status of both players. "Luka Modric is an example for millions of young athletes and young generations who love football," Martinez stated. "The longevity both he and our captain [Ronaldo] have shown makes them icons of the sport."