VAR Robbed Croatia of Legendary Comeback – Zlatan Ibrahimović

Zlatan Ibrahimović has criticised the use of VAR, accusing the technology of robbing Croatia of what would have been a legendary comeback during their group stage encounter at the 2026 World Cup.

The outspoken former Manchester United and AC Milan forward, who has been following the tournament closely, said the referee’s decision to overturn a late goal following a VAR review was unfair and deprived the Croatian team of a memorable result.

Ibrahimović, known for his strong opinions on football matters, stated that the decision changed the momentum of the game at a crucial moment when Croatia had fought back from a difficult position.

“Croatia deserved that win. They showed real character to come back into the match. VAR robbed them of a legendary moment,” Ibrahimović was quoted as saying.

The incident occurred in the dying minutes of the match when Croatia appeared to have scored a winning goal, only for it to be disallowed after a lengthy VAR review.

Croatia’s coaching team and players were visibly frustrated by the decision, which many neutral observers also described as debatable.

Ibrahimović’s comments have added to the growing debate about the consistency and impact of VAR at the 2026 World Cup, with several teams and coaches expressing concerns over controversial calls that have influenced match outcomes.

The Swedish football legend, who retired from international duty years ago, has remained an influential voice in global football discourse and is often vocal about what he perceives as injustices in the game.

His support for Croatia in this instance has been welcomed by fans of the Balkan nation, many of whom felt the decision cost them valuable points in a very competitive group.

As the 2026 World Cup progresses into the knockout stages, questions about the role and accuracy of VAR continue to dominate conversations among players, coaches, and supporters.

FIFA has defended the technology, stating that it remains an important tool for ensuring fairness, even though it has generated controversy in several matches.

The match involving Croatia is one of many high-stakes encounters that have kept football fans glued to the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.