Thierry Henry blasts the referee and VAR after Croatia's last-minute goal against Portugal was ruled out:
“I don't understand that decision at all. For me, the referee and VAR have completely ruined what should have been one of the greatest moments of this World Cup. You cannot overturn a goal of that magnitude unless the evidence is absolutely clear. I've watched the replay several times, and I still don't see enough to confidently rule it out. If it's taking that long to draw lines and freeze frames, then it isn't obvious. The referee has allowed technology to become the star of the match.
Fans didn't come to watch VAR—they came to watch football. Croatia thought they had earned a dramatic equaliser through courage and determination, only for it to be taken away by a decision that will divide opinions for years. This is exactly why people are losing faith in VAR. Instead of correcting obvious mistakes, it's making microscopic decisions that nobody in the stadium can understand.
That's not what football is supposed to be. I feel for the Croatian players because moments like this stay with you forever. You celebrate, you believe you've kept your World Cup dream alive, and then it's all erased in seconds. For me, the referee and VAR have got this completely wrong.”
