Croatian press decries World Cup exit as robbery after controversial VAR call

Croatian media and fans are reeling from their national team's World Cup exit, with widespread accusations of a refereeing injustice. The team lost 2-1 to Portugal in Toronto, a match overshadowed by a controversial disallowed goal in extra time.

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If Matanovic had been bald, Croatia would have drawn.

Index, a prominent portal, highlighted the general sentiment with a headline "Bravo, Croatia," acknowledging the team's effort while criticizing the referee's decisions. The core of the anger lies in the annulment of a potential 2-2 equalizer in the 13th minute of extra time. Although the referee initially allowed the goal by Gvardiol, VAR intervened, leading to its disallowance.

FIFA later stated that sensors in the official ball indicated a touch by Croatian player Matanovic in the build-up, which was the key factor for the VAR decision. However, this explanation has done little to quell the outrage. Vecernji list, a major newspaper, bluntly stated, "Croatia was robbed, deliberately." The paper criticized the Norwegian referee Espen Eskas for perceived bias throughout the match, claiming all questionable calls favored Portugal.

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Croatia was robbed, deliberately.

Other outlets like N1 Sportklub described the loss as a "Tragedy in Toronto," calling the disallowed goal "the moment the dream died." Gol.dnevnik.hr sarcastically analyzed the play, suggesting that "if Matanovic had been bald, Croatia would have drawn." This sentiment was echoed by fans worldwide, with many calling it a "robbery."

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The moment the dream died.

Croatia, the runner-up in 2018 and third-place finisher in 2022, ends its tournament run on a bitter note, marked by controversy after an inconsistent group stage.

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What a robbery!