Blogger’s Note: After the collapse of the USSR in 1991 – the people of Yugoslavia wanted to retain their Socialist system – but the US (Clinton) and UK (Blair) manipulated NATO into blanket-bombing Yugoslavia for 78-days non-stop – similar to how Israel commits genocide in Gaza. Once the country’s infrastructure was destroyed – the West encouraged religious extremism and racist nationalism – recreating the situation that existed during WWII. Balkanising the place ensured all the constituent parts were weak and unable to defend themselves without Western assistance. Croatia was permitted to retain all its Hitlerite history and national emblems – including the hideous chequered flag used by the Croatian Nazis. This symbol was as horrific as the German swastika for its victims. The leader of Yugoslavia was imprisoned in the Hague until he died of illness – as there was no genuine legal grounds against him. A thriving Socialist Yugoslavia was thought to be a barrier to capitalism invading and colonising the interior of Russia. Indeed, so successful as this colonising been, that many modern Russians parrot the anti-Soviet propaganda fabricated by the US – as if it were true. Ironically, at the time, the Islamic extremists implanted into Yugoslavia by the US were presented in the West as “victims” that needed saving! How times have changed! Thank you to Portugal for clearing this Croatian scum out of the World Cup – whilst Mexico will soon be sending England home – so there’s something for everyone! ACW (3.7.2026)

World Cup match halted overnight as team sent home and FIFA release statement

Portugal beat Croatia 3-2 in the World Cup last 32 after a dramatic Gvardiol equaliser was ruled out for offside by VAR, sparking Croatian fans to throw bottles and cans onto the pitch in Toronto

Jon Doel Head of Sport and Scott Trotter – 07:03, 03 Jul 2026Updated 07:39, 03 Jul 2026

Croatian fans hurled bottles onto the pitch after their team had a late equaliser disallowed against Portugal in the World Cup. Josko Gvardiol believed he’d taken the match to extra time before being ruled offside as Croatia exited at the last 32.

The ugly scenes saw the match briefly stopped and sparked a huge debate over the controversial decision, which saw FIFA release a statement overnight after the Croatians were sent packing from the tournament.

The dramatic incident occurred as the Manchester City defender found the net in the 103rd minute. Gvardiol scored after Mario Pasalic took advantage of a flick from Portugal’s Renato Veiga, but Igor Matanovic was judged to have made contact with the ball first while his team-mate was in an offside position.

Ecstatic celebrations rapidly turned to dismay as VAR intervened in the decision. Espen Aspas confirmed that Matanovic had touched the ball and, consequently, that Gvardiol was offside.

Croatian supporters were devastated and furious, and started launching bottles and cans onto the pitch in Toronto. The match could not resume until the barrage had been removed, despite only seconds remaining on the clock.

BBC host Mark Chapman revealed that former referee Darren Cann said that Matanovic definitely touched the ball.

“He was offside when the ball was last played by a teammate and the ball was deflected by the defender and not deliberately played, so the offside stands,” he read.

“Snicko, that 100% proves that he touched it with the flick-on.”

The BBC’s Matt Upson remained unconvinced. “Controversial from my view unless VAR have been looking at an angle we have not been seeing,” he said.

“From what I can see, I don’t see any change of direction of the ball. What the telling thing is the spin on the ball doesn’t change and it looks like Matanovic hasn’t touched that ball.”

Following the match, FIFA released a statement explaining the decision was a result of new technology being used at the World Cup. It read: “According to the data provided by Connected Ball Technology housed within the Adidas ball Trionda, the official match ball of the FIFA World Cup, it was proven that contact was made by Croatia’s Igor Matanovic in the build up to the goal against Portugal, allowing the referee to correctly determine offside and disallow the goal.

“IMU sensors housed within the Trionda ball are capable of determining any slight contact, displayed to viewers in the broadcast as a ‘heartbeat graphic’, and allowing officials an unprecedented level of data to make fast, accurate decisions.”

Portugal’s decisive goal had only come in the 94th minute when Goncalo Ramos produced a clever header from a stunning Rafael Leao cross. Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier netted his first goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup from the penalty spot, cancelling out Ivan Perisic’s opener.

Portugal will now face Spain in a mouth-watering last-16 encounter on Monday night.