How Cabo Verde saved football
On Friday morning, the football world witnessed arguably the biggest controversy at the 2026 World Cup. The Round of 32 clash between Portugal and Croatia produced a thrilling contest, outstanding performances from both teams, and plenty of chances, keeping Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream alive. However, the public focus was elsewhere – on the referees.Croatia’s equalizer, scored deep into stoppage time, was disallowed after the motion sensor in the Trionda ball detected a touch, thereby confirming an offside.The match Portugal couldn’t lose: Victory for Diogo and AndreThe neutrals – and especially those football nostalgics, romantics, and purists – were enraged. They claimed football had lost its soul, core, essence, and that technology has made it lifeless, cold, and robotic.About 24 hours later, football responded by shining at its brightest, reminding everyone once again that no innovation can ever strip it of the spirit forged over more than a century.All thanks to Cabo Verde…