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Martinez says Portugal deserved win over Croatia after VAR drama

ReutersReuters3 Jul 2026, 07:23
Martinez says Portugal deserved win over Croatia after VAR drama

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said his team deserved their 2-1 win over Croatia in the World Cup round of 32 on Thursday and praised the referee for getting the big decisions right in a pulsating match that lived up to its billing.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said his team deserved their 2-1 win over Croatia in the round of 32 at the ​World Cup on Thursday and praised the referee for getting ‌the big decisions right in a pulsating match that lived up to its billing.

Portugal were awarded a penalty after a Video Assistant Referee review, which Cristiano Ronaldo slotted ​home to cancel out Ivan Perisic's opener. Goncalo Ramos then netted ​a stoppage-time header to put Portugal in front.

Croatia looked to ⁠have equalised at the very end but the last-gasp effort was ruled ​offside after another VAR review, prompting the team's supporters in the south end ​of Toronto Stadium to shower the pitch with debris.

"There were no bad decisions. Today we were fortunate," said Martinez when asked if Croatia had been robbed of a ​second goal by VAR.

"The chip ball showed that it was offside, the ​penalty was also clear. I understand the work of (Croatia coach Zlatko) Dalic in this team ‌and ⁠it is shame that there was only one winner today."

Dalic had a different opinion on the officiating in the match, saying he was unhappy with the "bad refereeing".

Portugal will next play Spain in the round of 16 in ​Dallas, and Martinez ​expected a high-quality ⁠encounter between two European heavyweights.

"We respect the quality of Spain. I think it is going to be a fantastic ​match, it is going to be the European game ​of this ⁠World Cup," he said.

When asked how he deals with nerves during such crucial games, Martinez said he had learned to keep his emotions in check and ⁠that ​it was important to remain rational and ​calm.

Thursday's match had taken a toll though, he added.

"I have lost my hair through this, but ​I think it is worth it."