Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has slammed the video assistant referee after Croatia’s heartbreaking 2–1 loss to Portugal in the 2026 World Cup last-32 match, insisting the Croats were “robbed” of a fair equalizer.
The game ended in fury when Josko Gvardiol’s late goal—which would have made it 2–2—was chalked off following a lengthy VAR review.
FIFA cited Connected Ball Technology to claim a faint touch by Igor Matanovic, but Ibrahimovic isn’t buying it.
“I saw nothing wrong with that goal,” Ibrahimovic told Gazzetta.
“Either the sensor malfunctioned, or someone made a huge mistake. Portugal’s Renato Veiga clearly touches the ball—so there’s no offside. Croatia’s number 20 doesn’t even change the ball’s path. It’s a robbery, plain and simple.”
The Swedish legend added that the controversy ruined what was otherwise a “fantastic match” and called for more transparency in how VAR decisions are made.