IBRAHIMOVIC CLAIMS CROATIA WERE ROBBED IN PORTUGAL WORLD CUP DEFEAT
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Former Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said Croatia were unfairly denied a goal in their Round of 32 defeat to Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Portugal secured a 2-1 victory, but the match ended amid controversy following the disallowance of what would have been Croatia’s equaliser late in the game.
After Goncalo Ramos had put Portugal ahead, Josko Gvardiol appeared to level the score at 2-2 with a bundled finish. However, following a VAR review, the goal was ruled out.
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FIFA later stated that Connected Ball Technology detected a slight touch from Igor Matanovic, leading officials to uphold the offside decision.
Reacting to the incident in an interview with Gazzetta, Ibrahimovic criticised the decision, insisting that Croatia had been hard done by.
“It was a brilliant match, but VAR spoiled the ending,” he said.
“I saw nothing wrong with the goal that would have made it 2-2. For me, disallowing it was a robbery.
“Either the sensor inside the ball malfunctioned or something else went wrong because Renato Veiga clearly touched the ball, which should have cancelled the offside.
“If you watch the replay closely, Croatia’s number 20 neither touches the ball nor alters its direction. It is Portugal’s number 13, Veiga, who makes contact with it.”
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