Watch: Cricket-style ‘snicko’ rules out 103rd-minute goal to save Portugal
Portugal secured a place in the World Cup's round of 16 in extraordinary circumstances, as they were saved by the most remarkable use yet of "snickometer" in football.Portugal were leading 2-1 in their knockout match against Croatia when, in the 13th minute of stoppage time, Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol prodded the ball into the net to bring the scores level.Croatia's wild celebrations were cut short, however, when "snicko" was deployed to ascertain whether there had been an offside offence before Gvardiol's close-range finish.AdvertisementThe technology showed that Croatia's Igor Matanovic had made the slightest contact with the ball before it reached team-mate Mario Pasalic at the back post. Matanovic's touch, which was invisible to the naked eye even during slow-motion replays, was only revealed by the sensors within the Adidas match ball.Croatia were left devastated by the decision, while many of their supporters in Toronto reacted furiously. Dozens of bottles were hurled on to the field of play by Croatia fans, which led to the final few moments of the match being delayed.Fifa says its "connected ball technology" uses advanced sensors within the official match ball to provide "precise, real-time data about its movement and position". The sensors allow the video assistant referees to determine the exact moment when a player makes contact with the ball.The "snicko" technology was also used earlier in this tournament when Sweden thrashed Tunisia in the group stages. On that occasion, the touch-detection software showed that Sweden striker Alexander Isak had made slight contact with the ball and therefore played his team-mate, goalscorer Mattias Svanberg, onside.AdvertisementThis technology was also in place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and at Euro 2024. Never before, though, has it been deployed at such a critical moment of such a critical international match.The preservation of Portugal's lead means they will now face Spain in the round of 16 in Dallas on Monday.Croatia had taken the lead in the 53rd minute, when Ivan Perisic scored with a powerful low effort, but Portugal equalised through Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty around 15 minutes later. It was Ronaldo's first goal in the World Cup knockout stages.Ronaldo was then substituted in the 81st minute with the score at 1-1, and he watched from the bench as Gonçalo Ramos headed Portugal back into the lead in the 94th minute. Thanks to "snicko", it proved to be the winning goal.AdvertisementThe match took place on the anniversary of the death of Portugal and Liverpool player Diogo Jota, who was killed alongside his brother André Silva in a car crash last year.Ronaldo wore a Portugal shirt with Jota's No 21 after the full-time whistle, and appeared to be fighting back tears.
Most Popular
