Konsa's outstretched boot keeps Perišić onside as VAR clears Croatia's equaliser against England

England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L fixture in Dallas, but the match’s most debated moment came just before half-time when a VAR review confirmed Croatia’s equaliser at 2-2 should stand — despite widespread conviction among fans that Ivan Perišić had been offside.

Perišić delivered the assist for Petar Musa’s goal to level the score, but television replays appeared to show the Croatian forward had strayed beyond England’s last defender. The confusion was quickly resolved once closer analysis revealed that Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa had an outstretched foot behind Perišić at the critical moment.

Konsa’s orange boot was barely distinguishable at certain broadcast angles, leading many supporters to assume the goal would be disallowed. One fan wrote: “Thought that 2nd Croatia goal was offside, but I think it’s Konsa’s leg or foot circled here played him onside. Imagine VAR checked and cleared quickly.” Another posted with certainty: “Yeah that Croatia goal is coming off, they were offside” — a prediction that proved incorrect.

Official VAR graphics subsequently clarified the decision, showing that only Perišić’s left arm extended beyond Konsa’s foot. Under the Laws of the Game, arms are excluded from offside calculations, meaning Perišić was correctly deemed onside and the goal was upheld.

The ruling preserved what had been an entertaining first half, with England having twice taken the lead before Croatia pegged them back. Jude Bellingham restored England’s advantage shortly after the interval, and Marcus Rashford added a fourth to seal a comfortable 4-2 victory for the Three Lions and put them in a strong position in Group L.