Snicko VAR call ends Modric's World Cup, keeps Ronaldo's alive

A dramatic VAR decision using Snickometer-style technology denied Croatia a stoppage-time equalizer against Portugal, ending Luka Modric's World Cup journey while prolonging Cristiano Ronaldo's. The incident, described by BBC commentator Steve Wilson as "one of the biggest VAR decisions there has ever been," occurred in the 13th minute of added time during a chaotic second half.

The decisive moment

Trailing 2-1, Croatia thought they had equalized when Josko Gvardiol tapped home from close range. Players celebrated wildly, while Ronaldo, who had earlier scored his first World Cup knockout goal for Portugal before being substituted, looked crestfallen on the bench. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review using Snickometer-style technology, typically associated with cricket.

The key question was whether Croatia's Igor Matanovic had flicked the ball on in the build-up. If his head touched the ball, he was offside; if not, the goal would stand. Video assistant referee Jarred Gillett, a Premier League official, initiated a goal check for offside. Norwegian referee Espen Eskas reviewed multiple replays, but TV pictures were inconclusive. A spike on the Snickometer suggested a touch, and the goal was disallowed.

Fan reaction and aftermath

The decision sparked chaotic scenes, with plastic bottles thrown onto the pitch by furious Croatia fans as their World Cup dreams ended. For Croatia's 40-year-old legend Luka Modric, it was likely the end of his World Cup career, while Ronaldo's journey continues—just hours after his sister called the tournament his "last dance."

How Snicko works

Snicko, originally a cricket tool, has been adapted for football. The Trionda match ball, made by Adidas for this World Cup, contains a microchip that detects when the ball is touched. It sends precise data—every individual touch by boot or hand—to the VAR in real time. FIFA released a statement confirming the technology proved Matanovic touched the ball.

Sweden benefited from similar technology earlier in the tournament. Mattias Svanberg saw a goal initially ruled out for offside, but Snicko showed teammate Alexander Isak got a faint touch on the ball, putting Svanberg onside and allowing the goal. Similar technology was used at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championship.

Reactions from coaches

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic declined to give detailed thoughts on the decision but said, "I will not comment much about it but I will say the refereeing was very bad. No fouls, no set-pieces on our side which should have been but that's no reason to talk about the defeat. It was very bad refereeing." He added, "You were able to see to what extent emotions had been killed and, altogether all these decisions take you back and actually take the joy out of football. VAR kills emotions, it kills everything within you. We have gone too far with VAR."

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez was more forthcoming: "It's a shame one of the two teams had to lose. But there is no bad decision or lucky decision. It was a clear moment. The balls now have a chip and the sensor shows the ball was touched."

Former England defender Matt Upson, speaking to 5 Live, said it was hard to tell in real time whether Matanovic touched it.