FIFA confirms Matanovic touched the ball — Pasalic's goal ruled out by sensor data

FIFA has officially clarified the controversial moment in the Round of 32 clash between Croatia and Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, which ended 2–1 for the Portuguese. Croatia thought they had equalized, but the goal was disallowed for offside, sparking debate among fans and pundits alike. According to data from the Connected Ball Technology — sensors embedded inside the official Trionda match ball — Croatia’s Igor Matanovic (No. 20) made contact with the ball during the buildup. That touch activated the offside phase, meaning Mario Pasalic was correctly flagged when he received the ball. FIFA stated that the sensors can detect even the slightest touch, leaving no room for interpretation. The decision stood, ending Croatia’s World Cup run and sending Portugal into the knockout stage. The incident once again highlighted the growing role of microtechnology in modern soccer officiating.