Portugal beat Croatia in a dramatic World Cup match, and Cristiano Ronaldo had the chance to speak to Petar Sučić following his team’s victory
Cristiano Ronaldo took a moment to console his opponent (Image: Cole Burston / AFP via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo consoled an inconsolable Petar Sučić after Portugal’s victory over Croatia at the World Cup. Ronaldo’s team achieved a dramatic 2-1 victory over their rivals and booked a place in the last 16 against Spain.
In the 103rd minute, VAR intervened during the build-up and ruled it offside, leaving Croatia heartbroken as Josko Gvardiol’s equalizing goal was brutally denied. Match ball technology revealed that Igor Matanovic had touched the ball, and Mario Pašalić was ruled offside.
The team stood in disbelief before it turned into a crushing defeat at full time as angry fans threw plastic bottles onto the field. Ronaldo enjoyed his own celebrations and was quick to pay tribute to the late Diogo Jota, but also found time to offer words of comfort to Susic, who sat on the floor in tears.
“Honestly, I was very upset,” Suchic said. “But he told me this is football, there are going to be some difficult moments in football, but I’m great and if I keep moving forward, things will get better in the future.”
Sučić was disappointed with the manner of the defeat and wanted an explanation as to why the referee had canceled the goal. “I feel empty, but I’m proud of the way our team played, especially in the second half,” he said.
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“We deserved more, at least extra time, because we played really well and had a lot of chances. The goalkeeper defended well and disallowed three of our goals. I would like someone to explain some of the referee’s decisions.”
“Doubtful, there were too many situations against us. In the end we have to congratulate Portugal for coming through.”
After the match, FIFA explained how it was established that there was contact with the ball to prevent Croatia’s goal.
Petar Susic was devastated (Image: Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
“Data provided by the connected ball technology housed inside the @adidasfootball Trionda, the official match ball of the @FIFAWorldCup, proves that Croatia’s number 20 Igor Matanovic made contact during the build-up to the goal against Portugal, allowing the referee to accurately determine offside and invalidate the goal.”
“The MU sensor housed within the Trionda Ball will be able to determine every slight touch, which will be displayed to viewers on broadcast as a ‘heartbeat graphic’, giving authorities an unprecedented level of data to make quick and accurate decisions.”
However, Susic is not satisfied with this and remains unconvinced that contact took place. “The referee said that Matanovic played with the ball, that the sensors in the ball showed it, that he didn’t know what to say, that it was difficult to explain, that someone should have explained it to us,” he said.
“In my opinion, Matanovic didn’t touch the ball and it was an ordinary goal. Maybe I should have looked better more often. I also think I should have analyzed my goal better to see if it was offside.”
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