Luka Modric’s Emotional Exit and Criticism of VAR Decisions

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, July 4, 2026

Luka Modric expressed strong frustration over controversial refereeing decisions and VAR calls following Croatia’s knockout loss to Portugal in his final World Cup match. His criticism highlights ongoing debate about the technology’s impact on the game, with Croatia’s coach and players echoing concerns about fairness and consistency.

Luka Modric exited his final World Cup appearance with visible frustration and disappointment following Croatia’s knockout defeat to Portugal. The veteran midfielder, who delivered a strong performance after halftime, expressed anger and disbelief at several decisions made by referee Espen Eskas, his assistants, and the video assistant referee (VAR) system during the match held on July 3, 2026.

Modric openly challenged the penalty awarded to Portugal after Nikola Vlasic fouled Renato Veiga, describing the call as unjustified and criticizing the inconsistent application of VAR. He also contested a pivotal offside ruling that disallowed Croatia’s last-minute equalizer by striker Igor Matanovic. According to Modric, there was no clear evidence that Matanovic made contact with the ball, despite a VAR sensor indicating otherwise.

“When VAR was introduced, I didn’t like it,” Modric stated. “Later, over time, it’s good for some things, but they use it incorrectly or selectively. There’s no point in calling VAR if it’s in the grey area; you have no say. The ref didn’t see anything but the VARs have to go with what the sensor tells them. It doesn’t feel right.”

Croatia’s head coach, Zlatko Dalic, expressed similar dissatisfaction with officiating, singling out VAR as a factor that dampened the intensity and emotional impact of the match. “We have gone too far with it,” Dalic commented, reflecting broader concerns about the technology’s influence in the game.

Modric’s teammates showed support amid speculation over the player’s international future. Midfielder Martin Baturina acknowledged Modric’s importance to the team, saying, “It’s Luka’s decision. He means everything to us.” Forward Petar Sucic added, “Luka showed that if he wants to keep playing, he can do it easily,” suggesting that the midfielder’s contributions remain significant despite his advancing age.

The disappointment felt by the Croatian squad was mirrored among the fans, some of whom expressed their frustration by throwing plastic bottles on the pitch after the final whistle, underscoring the bitter end to Croatia’s World Cup campaign.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.