Today We Were Fortunate: Roberto Martinez Breaks Silence on VAR Drama After Portugal’s Thrilling Win Over Croatia

The Portugal vs Croatia encounter in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 had everything—controversy, late drama, VAR intervention, and a dramatic winner. But while Croatian fans were left questioning crucial decisions, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez insisted that the match officials got it right.

Portugal secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory to advance to the Round of 16, overcoming a determined Croatian side in one of the most intense knockout matches of the tournament.

After the final whistle, much of the discussion centered around the role of VAR (Video Assistant Referee), particularly a late Croatian goal that was eventually ruled out following a lengthy review.

Addressing the controversy, Martinez offered a measured response.

“There were no bad decisions. Today we were fortunate,” the Portugal coach said while speaking to reporters after the match.

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His comments acknowledged the fine margins that often decide major international tournaments while also defending the decisions made by the officiating team.

The drama began when Ivan Perisic handed Croatia the lead early in the second half, putting Portugal under pressure. However, Portugal found a way back into the contest after a VAR review awarded them a penalty, which was calmly converted by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The goal marked another important moment for Ronaldo in what could be his final FIFA World Cup campaign.

As the game moved into stoppage time, Portugal delivered the decisive blow. A well-placed cross found substitute Goncalo Ramos, who rose above the Croatian defense and headed home the winner, sending Portuguese supporters into celebration.

Yet the biggest talking point came later.

Croatia appeared to have found a dramatic equaliser in extra time, only for VAR to intervene. Following a detailed review, officials ruled that the attacking move involved an offside infringement, resulting in the goal being disallowed.

The decision sparked immediate debate across the football world, with many Croatian fans expressing frustration over the outcome.

However, Martinez refused to criticize the technology or the officials involved.

Instead, the Portuguese manager emphasized that modern football relies on technology to help referees make accurate decisions, particularly in high-pressure knockout matches where a single call can determine a team’s fate.

The victory keeps Portugal’s World Cup dream alive and moves them one step closer to the latter stages of the competition. With experienced stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and emerging talents such as Goncalo Ramos contributing at crucial moments, Portugal remains one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.

For Croatia, the defeat will be difficult to accept, especially given how close they came to forcing the contest further. Nevertheless, the match will likely be remembered not only for Portugal’s resilience but also for the VAR decision that became the defining moment of the night.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 progresses, debates surrounding technology and officiating are unlikely to disappear. But for Martinez and Portugal, the focus remains firmly on the next challenge—and their pursuit of football’s biggest prize.