Zlatan Ibrahimović defends Croatia's disallowed goal in dramatic loss to Portugal

Zlatan Ibrahimović has spoken out in defense of the Croatian national team following their dramatic World Cup exit, specifically addressing a disallowed goal that contributed to their 2-1 defeat against Portugal.

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For me, it is a goal. Football revolves around what actually happens on the field, and when I looked at the replay again, I saw that the ball bounced off the Portuguese defender before it reached the Croatian attacker. That changes everything.

Croatia's World Cup journey ended in the round of 16 after a tense match against Portugal. While Portugal advanced, the game was marred by controversy over a late equalizer by Joško Gvardiol in the 13th minute of stoppage time. This goal, which would have forced extra time, was disallowed for an offside call on Mario Pašalić earlier in the play, a decision that has drawn significant disagreement.

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That is why VAR exists, to correct obvious errors, not to create more controversy. I think they made the wrong decision today.

Speaking from the FOX Sports studio, the legendary Swedish striker argued that the disallowed goal should have stood. Ibrahimović explained that the ball deflected off a Portuguese defender before reaching the Croatian attacker, a crucial detail that, in his view, nullifies any offside call. "Football revolves around what actually happens on the field," he stated, emphasizing that a deflection resets the phase of play and should not penalize the attacker.

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Anyone who watched could see that there was contact from the Portuguese player before the ball reached the Croatian attacker. In my opinion, the goal should have been recognized.

Ibrahimović also criticized the application of VAR, the video assistant referee system. He believes VAR should correct obvious errors, not generate more controversy. "I think they made the wrong decision today," he asserted, adding that decisions made in the final minutes of knockout matches carry immense weight and require absolute certainty. "For me, this was not offside – it was a completely regular goal."

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When you make decisions like these in the final minutes of a knockout match, you decide the fate of a team. You have to be absolutely sure. For me, this was not offside – it was a completely regular goal.