Portugal coach: All referee decisions were correct in Croatia match

Portugal's coach Roberto Martinez asserted that all referee decisions during their dramatic World Cup Round of 16 victory over Croatia were correct, emphasizing that none favored his team. "There wasn't a single wrong decision, nor a single refereeing judgment that went in our favor," Martinez stated after the match.

“

There wasn't a single wrong decision, nor a single refereeing judgment that went in our favor.

Martinez expressed his delight with the outcome, highlighting the team's performance in the first half as fantastic, characterized by intensity and effective attacking play. He acknowledged the threat posed by Croatia, known for its ball control, but praised his team's belief and the impact of substitutes. "On World Cups, there are no perfect games anymore. You need discipline, talent, but also to play with heart," he added.

The Spanish coach also commented on the contributions of his forwards, Cristiano Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos, who scored for Portugal. "There isn't a player at the World Cup who can take a penalty like Cristiano, nor another striker with the strength and ability to enter the penalty area like Goncalo Ramos," Martinez noted, also mentioning other players who contributed.

“

On World Cups, there are no perfect games anymore. You need discipline, talent, but also to play with heart.

Addressing the controversial ending, where a Croatian goal was disallowed for offside due to a marginal contact with the ball, Martinez reiterated his respect for Croatia but pointed to the new chip technology in the balls for clear offside decisions. "The balls now have a chip in them, and it's completely clear why VAR intervened. All the decisions today were correct, and the penalty for Portugal was clear," he concluded.

“

There isn't a player at the World Cup who can take a penalty like Cristiano, nor another striker with the strength and ability to enter the penalty area like Goncalo Ramos.

Goncalo Ramos, who scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, shared his enthusiasm: "I love these moments, I love these matches. I want to play every game of this significance and be part of big moments."

“

The balls now have a chip in them, and it's completely clear why VAR intervened. All the decisions today were correct, and the penalty for Portugal was clear.