A late goal by Davinson Sánchez for Colombia against Portugal was disallowed by VAR, resulting in a 0-0 draw in their final Group K match in Miami. The decision, which came deep into the closing stages of the game, meant Colombia missed out on a dramatic victory, with the goal ruled offside by a minimal margin.
The incident occurred when Sánchez headed the ball into the net from a cross following a set-piece. Initially, the goal appeared to be a late winner, sparking celebrations among Colombia fans. However, the assistant referee raised the flag, and VAR subsequently confirmed the offside decision. Replays indicated that Sánchez was fractionally ahead of the second-last Portugal defender when the ball was delivered, specifically by his toe.
Offside decision explained
The offside law in football states that a player is in an offside position if any part of their head, body, or feet that can legally score is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender. Hands and arms are not considered in this rule. In this particular instance, Sánchez’s toe was deemed to be beyond the line, making the decision straightforward under the current regulations.
While the margin was extremely small, leading to some controversy and frustration, the law does not account for the degree of offside. Even a minimal offside position is still considered offside. Once VAR established Sánchez’s position and his active involvement in playing the ball by heading it into the net, the offside offence was complete.
An important detail in this play was the origin of the cross. The goal did not come directly from a corner kick, which would typically negate offside. Instead, Colombia recycled the ball from the initial corner delivery, and the cross came from a subsequent phase of play. At this point, the offside line reset, meaning Sánchez needed to be level with or behind the second-last Portugal defender. He was not.
Modern semi-automated and VAR-assisted offside decisions rely on precise body-part lines, rather than whether a player gained a significant advantage. This technological approach ensures that if a scoring part of the body is ahead of the defensive line, the goal is disallowed, regardless of how harsh it might appear in real-time or to the naked eye.
Ronaldo’s performance and fan reaction
Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, played the entire 90 minutes of the match but delivered a quiet performance. The 0-0 draw saw him fail to register a goal or an assist. Colombia’s disciplined defence effectively neutralised him throughout the game, limiting him to just one shot on target.
During the match, Ronaldo completed 22 out of 24 passes, achieving a 92% accuracy rate. However, he was flagged offside three times and missed one significant open chance. Early in the game, in the 24th minute, he won a central free-kick from 40 yards out, but his shot was comfortably saved by Colombia’s goalkeeper, Camilo Vargas.
Later, in the 32nd minute, Ronaldo was played through on goal on the left flank but was immediately called offside. He also attempted a bicycle kick follow-up after a saved shot from Bruno Fernandes, but Colombia’s compact defence blocked the attempt before it could threaten the goal.
Following the match, Ronaldo faced criticism from fans regarding his performance. Social media users commented on his perceived struggle to match the pace of the game, with some questioning his form and suggesting it might be time for him to retire. One fan sarcastically noted that Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, still decided to play him against Colombia despite his struggles. Other comments included remarks like, “What is wrong with Ronaldo?” and observations that his fans often attribute his subdued performances to other players.
The 0-0 draw confirmed Colombia as the winners of Group K with seven points, while Portugal finished second with five points, having secured only one win in the group stages. This second-place finish places Portugal in the tougher half of the knockout bracket, where they are scheduled to face Croatia in Toronto in the Round of 32.
Source: hindustantimes.com
