Although Bruno Fernandes appeared to have scored Portugal's first goal against Uruguay, FIFA checked technology to determine who had the final touch. Cristiano Ronaldo had claimed the goal.
FIFA finally announced who will receive credit for Portugal's opening goal against Uruguay.
Technology has demonstrated that Cristiano Ronaldo did not score against Uruguay on Monday, according to FIFA.
Despite the fact that, after 54 minutes, Portugal allegedly provided proof that he had the last touch on Bruno Fernandes' ball into the box. To start the scoring, Fernandes' cross got past Sergio Rochet and the Uruguayan defense.
Ronaldo leapt up and appeared to try to head the ball in for his second goal of the tournament as it was passing through, though. Despite Ronaldo's enthusiastic celebration, Fernandes was named the scorer by the stadium announcer at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Fernandes himself admitted he was not sure if Ronaldo had touched the ball, though the superstar appeared to be claiming it. He insisted he did not care who was given the final credit for scoring.
"I celebrated the goal as if it had been Cristiano's goal. It seemed to me that he had touched the ball. My aim was to cross the ball for him," he said.
"We are happy with the victory regardless of who scored. The most important thing is that we achieved our aim which is to be in the next round."
However, Fernandes may be happy right now because FIFA, using technology from Adidas ball manufacturers, has confirmed their final decision. Given that technology demonstrated that Ronaldo did not touch the ball, Fernandes is now given credit for the goal.
Ronaldo did not make the final touch on Bruno Fernandes' ball, according to FIFA.
"We are able to conclusively show no contact on the ball from Cristiano Ronaldo for the opening goal in the game utilizing the Connected Ball Technology housed in adidas's Al Rihla Official Encounter Ball in the match between Portugal and Uruguay," a FIFA statement stated.
"The absence of a "heartbeat" in our measurements indicates that no external force on the ball could be recorded. We can perform our research with high accuracy because to the 500Hz IMU sensor inside the ball."
The match ball made by Adidas includes technology that can provide real-time data to match officials. It can also capture every touch made by the players with sensors, introduced to help with judging offsides.
That confirmation comes despite El Chiringuito TV reporting the Portuguese FA would present evidence to prove Ronaldo had scored. It was unclear what evidence that would be, though it now appears to be redundant.
Portugal confirmed their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup with their defeat of Uruguay, with Fernandes adding a second in stoppage time. Ronaldo will now have to wait until the final group game against South Korea to score his second of the tournament, if h is not rested by coach Fernando Santos.
If he is rested, then his next chance to score will be in the knockout stages. Portugal are still waiting to find out who their opponents will be, with Brazil, Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia all still able to progress from Group G.
TAG: World Cup FIFA 2022
