Croatia Accuses Refereeing Bias After Controversial World Cup Loss to Portugal

Croatia has erupted in controversy following their 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the 2026 World Cup, with widespread accusations of biased refereeing decisions influenced by VAR technology. The Croatian team, led by coach Zlatko Dalić and captain Luka Modrić, claim they were clearly wronged, particularly in the final moments of the match. Croatian media outlets harshly criticized the officiating, suggesting the game was effectively "taken away" from them. Sportske Novosti stated that the refereeing was deliberately against Croatia, highlighting that Cristiano Ronaldo's selection as the match's best player "says it all" about the fairness of the contest.

The match saw Croatia initially take the lead through Ivan Perišić, but Ronaldo equalized via a penalty that Modrić and others deemed unjustified. Later, a Croatian goal was disallowed for offside, and in stoppage time, Mario Pašalić’s goal that could have sent the game to extra time was overturned after a VAR review detected a slight touch by Igor Matanović, a decision that sparked outrage across Croatia. The Croatian newspaper 24Sata called the late decision "unbearable." Coach Dalić described the refereeing as "very bad" but acknowledged, "We are not looking for excuses, we lost."

Modrić also criticized the penalty awarded to Portugal, stating it was not a foul and accusing VAR of selective and inconsistent use, influenced by the stature of the teams involved. The controversy extended beyond Croatia, drawing criticism from European football figures. Former player Jamie Carragher labeled the VAR decision "wrong and excessive," arguing it damages the spirit of the game by focusing on minimal contacts rather than clear calls. Gary Lineker described the moment as "painful and cruel," criticizing the technology for removing emotional and dramatic elements from football. FIFA later confirmed a slight contact on the Croatian player’s head led to the offside call, defending the VAR intervention.