Perišić made harsh criticisms regarding the cancelled goal and video images in the Portugal match

Croatia's experienced star Ivan Perišić made statements to the press following his country's match against Portugal, which they lost. Expressing his views on the referee decisions and particularly the goal, Perišić emphasized that it is difficult to accept what happened as the nature of football. Stating that it is not possible for referees to change their decisions on the field, but that players try to find solutions in such situations, the player's attitude and speech clearly revealed the team's perspective on the match and the sporting betrayal experienced.

The most striking topic on Perišić's agenda was the goal scored by Croatia early in the match but later cancelled. Arguing that there was no suspicion of offside when the position inside was reviewed, Perišić believes this decision changed the course of the match. He stated that they found it difficult to make sense of the way the referee's cancellation decision was given and the accompanying processes. Leaving the field with the thought that an injustice was done to your side is always difficult, and this situation deeply affected the psychology of the match. The objections made regarding the validity of the goal brought the trust in the VAR system into question.

The most striking part of his speech was Perišić's criticism regarding the giant screens in the stadium. He stated that the cancelled position was not even reflected to the spectators on the big screen in the stadium, so it was impossible for them to understand what was happening at that moment. Even if the mistake had been corrected by VAR, the fact that it was not shown to the fans in the stands was seen as a major deficiency. These screens, which direct the atmosphere in the stadium and the followers' perspective on the match, created a suspicion of not being used intentionally in critical moments. This situation was perceived as an application contrary to the principle of transparency.

In general terms, Perišić stated that despite the performance the team displayed on the field, they could not be satisfied with the result, and that Croatia is a team that fights until the end. While appreciating the quality of their opponents, he argued that injustices suffered in matches played on their own field or on neutral ground should not have a place in football. Instead of getting stuck on the score, he continued his speech by highlighting the team's potential and future goals. He noted that in the struggle against a strong team like Portugal, invisible obstacles must be overcome.

In summary, Ivan Perišić made a comprehensive evaluation including both sporting and technical aspects regarding the Portugal match. The fact that the cancelled goal was not shown on the big screen stood out as the most decisive detail that fueled the debates about the justice of the match. He expressed his concerns about the correct use of technology and transparency in modern conditions of football. Time will tell whether this match is a turning point for Croatian football, but the experiences seem to make morale management difficult for the team. These statements went down in history as a reflection of the ongoing tensions in the tournament.