Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup dream saved by new technology

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of winning the World Cup for the first time in his career was saved by an unknown piece of new technology introduced by FIFA ahead of the 2026 tournament.

The Al-Nassr striker drew Portugal level from the penalty spot after Ivan Perisic had opened the scoring for Croatia, before Goncalo Ramos netted the winner in the 94th minute to send Portugal into the next round. However, the drama didn’t stop there.

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol thought that he equalised in the 12th minute of the second-half stoppage time, with Croatia’s entire substitutes bench rushing onto the pitch to celebrate with the 24-year-old.

Portugal were crushed and the match looked destined for extra-time. However, the goal was ruled out for an offside offence in the build-up following a VAR review, although this wouldn’t have happened without a new piece of technology introduced for the 2026 World Cup.

Portugal saved by new World Cup technology

Replays on TV appeared to show that Croatia’s Igor Matanovic had missed the ball with an attempted header, with Mario Pasalic, who assisted Gvardiol, therefore onside. But, when referee Espen Eskas went to the VAR screen, evidence proved that Matanovic had touched the ball, meaning Pasalic was offside.

Inside the adidas Trionda, the official 2026 World Cup match ball, there are sensors that detect physical contact, which is similar to the ‘snicko’ technology used in cricket. These sensors produce a spike whenever the ball is touched and the technology confirmed that Matanovic had glanced the ball with his head from Perisic’s cross, meaning Pasalic was offside.

Gvardiol’s equaliser was subsequently chalked off and Portugal held on to set up a mouthwatering last-16 clash against Spain in Dallas on Monday 6 July as Ronaldo looks to finally win the World Cup in what will surely be his last tournament.