Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic voiced his frustration over what he described as poor officiating following his side’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, while insisting the referee’s decisions were not the sole reason for Croatia’s elimination.
Match Decided by Controversial Calls
Portugal overturned a second-half deficit after Cristiano Ronaldo converted a VAR-awarded penalty before substitute Goncalo Ramos struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner. Croatia’s hopes of forcing extra time were shattered moments later when Josko Gvardiol’s apparent equalizer was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review determined the ball had deflected off Igor Matanovic.
“It was very bad refereeing,” Dalic said after the match, expressing disappointment with several decisions, including what he believed were missed fouls against his players. Nevertheless, the Croatian coach refused to blame the officials entirely. “We lost the match ourselves. We had opportunities and should have finished the game earlier,” he admitted.
Croatia’s Campaign Ends with Mixed Emotions
Reflecting on Croatia’s campaign, Dalic acknowledged his team struggled in the opening half before producing a much stronger second-half display that ultimately fell short. The defeat also likely marked the end of an unforgettable World Cup journey for captain Luka Modric, whose leadership helped Croatia secure runner-up and third-place finishes in 2018 and 2022.
“We’ve reached the end of a remarkable era,” Dalic said. “But I have complete confidence in the future because our young players have shown they are ready for the next chapter.”
