Ibrahimovic and the plot to push Cristiano Ronaldo to the World Cup: Croatia robbed from the Var. What happened The video

In a dramatic encounter during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal edged out Croatia 2-1 in a tightly contested match held in Toronto. The game, marked by emotional highs and lows, saw both teams battle fiercely for progression into the next round. Croatia initially took the lead in the 52nd minute when Ivan Perisic scored, but Portugal responded swiftly with a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo on a penalty kick in the 67th minute. The Portuguese side then secured their victory in the 90th minute with a stunning strike from Gonçalo Ramos, who had recently joined AC Milan.

The match was not without controversy, however. Several decisions by the referee, particularly involving the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), sparked intense debate among fans and players alike. A crucial moment came in the 90th minute when Joško Gvardiol appeared to score a goal that would have sent the match into extra time. However, the referee, Espen Eskas, ruled the goal invalid due to an alleged offside infringement involving Croatian player Igor Matanović. This decision was based on data from the Connected Ball Technology used in the official match ball, which indicated that Matanović had touched the ball before the goal was scored.

Despite the technology’s findings, many questioned the fairness of the call, especially given the lack of clear visual evidence supporting the offside claim. The Croatian team protested vigorously, believing they were denied a legitimate chance to extend the match into extra time. The outcome left them visibly frustrated, as they felt the decision unfairly impacted their chances of advancing further in the tournament.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a prominent figure in football commentary and a director at AC Milan, voiced his strong opinions about the controversial decision. Known for his fiery personality, Ibrahimovic criticized the referee's call, suggesting there might be a hidden agenda to benefit Portugal, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo. He argued that such decisions should be scrutinized more carefully, especially when they involve high-profile players. Ibrahimovic pointed out the irony of how similar incidents involving other players often receive much more attention and scrutiny, implying that the standards applied can vary depending on the players involved.

His comments resonated with many fans and analysts, sparking discussions about the integrity of refereeing decisions in international competitions. Ibrahimovic also highlighted the potential implications of this result, noting that it could set up a highly anticipated clash between Portugal and Spain in the subsequent rounds, a matchup he believes has significant appeal for global audiences.

As the dust settles on this contentious match, the focus now shifts to the upcoming fixtures. Both teams will need to regroup quickly, with Portugal aiming to capitalize on their hard-fought victory while Croatia seeks redemption in their next matches. The incident has undoubtedly added fuel to the ongoing debates about the role of technology in football and the consistency of officiating standards worldwide. With the World Cup progressing, these discussions are likely to continue, shaping the narrative around the tournament as it unfolds.