Cristiano Ronaldo’s disallowed goal highlights why sports betting markets are watching VAR controversies closely
The World Cup offside ruling against Croatia is the latest in a string of VAR decisions reshaping how crypto-native sportsbooks handle live betting odds.
Cristiano Ronaldo thought he’d rescued Portugal. He hadn’t. The referee’s whistle and the familiar rectangular hand signal told the story: offside, no goal, no equalizer against Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What happened on the pitch
During Portugal’s June 2026 World Cup group-stage match against Croatia, Ronaldo’s would-be equalizer was chalked off following a VAR review. He wasn’t the only one caught by the technology’s unblinking eye. Teammate João Cancelo also had a goal disallowed for offside in the same match, which ended 1-1.
Ronaldo’s reaction drew its own headlines. The Portuguese star has a well-documented history of animated responses to officiating decisions, and this match was no exception. Fan criticism followed, with some pointing to gestures they interpreted as Ronaldo signaling offside on his own teammates’ goals during the tournament’s June matches.
The offside controversies surrounding Ronaldo aren’t new. Similar disputes trace back to World Cup qualifiers as early as 2021, creating a recurring subplot in his career that refuses to fade.