SHAH ALAM - Croatia became the latest team to suffer heartbreak at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after seeing what appeared to be a dramatic 103rd-minute equaliser against Portugal ruled out following a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review.
Their disappointment is just one of several major incidents involving disallowed goals at this year's tournament, where technology has overturned celebrations for reasons ranging from marginal offsides to handballs and fouls in the build-up.
Here is a look at eight of the biggest goals that VAR has ruled out so far.
1. Croatia's dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Portugal (July 2)
Croatia thought they had rescued extra time in spectacular fashion during their round of 32 clash against Portugal after finding the net in the 103rd minute.
Ivan Perisic, who had earlier given Croatia the lead before Portugal responded through Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty and a late Goncalo Ramos header, delivered a cross that eventually reached Mario Pasalic before Josko Gvardiol bundled the ball home.
However, a lengthy VAR review, aided by "snickometer" technology similar to that used in cricket, found that Igor Matanovic had made the decisive touch before the ball reached Pasalic.
Because Pasalic was in an offside position at that exact moment and Renato Veiga's subsequent touch was judged not to be a deliberate play, the goal was ruled out. Croatia's hopes of forcing extra time were dashed as Portugal progressed.
2. Iran's stoppage-time winner against Egypt chalked off (June 27)
Iran experienced one of the tournament's most painful VAR moments when Shoja Khalilzadeh believed he had scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner against Egypt.
The goal would have dramatically altered Iran's qualification hopes, but VAR determined that two Iranian attackers were already beyond the second-last defender at the precise instant a teammate flicked the free-kick into the danger area.
Although the ball eventually reached Khalilzadeh moments later, the offside offence had already occurred when the initial flick was made. The decision left the match level at 1-1, allowing Egypt to advance while Iran was later eliminated after finishing short in the ranking of third-placed teams.
3. Uzbekistan denied memorable goal against Portugal (June 24)
Uzbekistan appeared to have produced one of the goals of the tournament when Azizjon Ganiev curled a stunning strike into the top corner against Portugal.
The spectacular finish briefly cancelled out Portugal's early advantage, but celebrations ended quickly after VAR reviewed the build-up.
Officials spotted Abbosbek Fayzullaev committing a foul on Joao Cancelo during the challenge that won possession, resulting in the goal being disallowed despite Ganiev's outstanding finish.
4. Spain lose one goal but eventually get another against Saudi Arabia (June 22)
Spain's commanding victory over Saudi Arabia briefly featured an extra goal before VAR intervened.
Deep into stoppage time, a slick passing move ended with Pedro Porro delivering a low cross for Ferran Torres to tap home. Following a lengthy review, VAR concluded Torres had strayed offside before receiving the pass, wiping out what would have been Spain's fifth goal.
The disappointment proved short-lived, however, as Torres eventually found the net moments later, this time with a goal that stood to complete Spain's emphatic victory.
5. Iran captain Mehdi Taremi denied opener against Belgium (June 22)
Iran's captain Mehdi Taremi thought he had given his side the lead against Belgium after converting from a set-piece situation.
The celebrations were halted when VAR initiated a review before eventually ruling the goal out for offside.
Referee analyst Mark Clattenburg also suggested there could have been an argument for a foul because of encroachment during the free-kick, although the official decision remained offside.
6. Argentina and Algeria both lose goals within eight chaotic minutes (June 17)
Argentina's opening Group J encounter against Algeria produced one of the tournament's most remarkable starts as both sides had goals ruled out inside the opening eight minutes.
Lionel Messi believed he had opened the scoring in the sixth minute after finishing from Lautaro Martinez's pass, only for VAR to confirm he had drifted marginally beyond the last defender by roughly half a shoulder.
Just two minutes later, Algeria thought they had taken the lead through Fares Chaibi after a well-worked attacking move, but that effort was also ruled out for offside.
The back-to-back interventions turned an explosive opening into one of the World Cup's earliest examples of VAR dramatically influencing a match.
7. Arnautovic denied by handball before Austria eventually prevail over Jordan (June 17)
Austria believed they had restored their lead against Jordan when substitute Marko Arnautovic bundled home from close range in the second half.
VAR reviewed the incident after spotting uncertainty over the build-up before referee Dahane Beida was sent to the pitchside monitor.
Following several replays, the referee concluded that Stefan Posch had handled the ball before it reached Arnautovic, resulting in the goal being disallowed.
Austria recovered quickly, regaining the lead through a Jordan own goal before Arnautovic later scored from the penalty spot to seal victory.
VAR continues to shape the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already produced numerous examples of how VAR continues to influence matches in decisive moments.
While several decisions have been confirmed using advanced technologies and detailed reviews, they have also delivered crushing disappointment for players and supporters, with goals overturned because of marginal offsides, handballs and infringements that were missed in real time.
As the tournament progresses into the knockout rounds, further VAR interventions could prove just as decisive in determining which nations continue their journey and which see their World Cup dreams come to an end.