How Adidas Trionda Microchip Changed Portugal vs Croatia World Cup Tie In An Instant

A microchip in Adidas’ Trionda match ball played a decisive role in Portugal’s 2-1 Round of 32 World Cup win over Croatia, overturning a late goal decision in extra time. In the 113th minute, Josko Gvardiol slid the ball in after a scramble, and Croatia began celebrating, believing it was an equaliser. VAR reviewed the strike and the goal was disallowed because Igor Matanovic touched the ball in an offside position during the buildup, before it reached Mario Pasalic and then Gvardiol; the contact was too faint for the human eye and cameras to confirm. FIFA said the Trionda’s Connected Ball Technology proved contact using data sent from an inertial measurement unit operating 500 times per second. The match also featured Gonzalo Ramos’s 97th-minute winner and post-match controversy from Croatia’s fans.