VAR's audio-sensor technology denies Croatia a stoppage-time equaliser to keep Portugal alive at the World Cup

Portugal edged past Croatia 2-1 in a controversial World Cup Round of 32 tie on Friday, with a stoppage-time equaliser from Josko Gvardiol disallowed following a VAR review that hinged on audio-sensor technology known as ‘Snicko’.

Gvardiol appeared to level the match at 2-2 in the 13th minute of added time, a goal that would have forced extra time. The review centred on whether Croatia’s Igor Matanovic, in an offside position, made contact with the ball during the build-up. Video replays were inconclusive, so officials turned to a soundwave-detecting sensor embedded in the official Adidas Trionda match ball to make the call.

The sensor registered a distinct spike in audio data, confirming contact had occurred. That reading was enough for the referee to disallow the goal and preserve Portugal’s lead — and Cristiano Ronaldo’s side’s hopes of winning a first World Cup title.

What is Snicko?

Snicko originated in cricket as a tool to determine whether a delivery had nicked the edge of a bat. It works by detecting the precise soundwave produced when an object makes contact with another surface. In football, the technology has been adapted and built directly into the match ball: the Adidas Trionda features an internal chip that captures real-time touch data and feeds it to the VAR hub, allowing officials to make highly accurate offside decisions even when camera angles cannot provide a definitive answer.

Contrasting reactions from the dugout

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic was openly frustrated after the final whistle, criticising the refereeing performance and arguing that hyper-precise technology and prolonged video reviews drain the genuine emotion from the game.

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez took the opposite view, defending the use of sensor data to settle such a critical moment. Martinez stated that the automated chip system removed any element of luck from the decision, producing what he described as an indisputably correct outcome.

What comes next

Portugal’s passage through sets up an Iberian derby in the Round of 16, where they will face Spain. Croatia, meanwhile, are eliminated from the tournament.