Technology in the match ball used during the World Cup conclusively proved that Cristiano Ronaldo made no contact with the ball for Portugal’s opener in their 2-0 win over Uruguay on Monday, FIFA and ball manufacturer Adidas have confirmed to ESPN.
Portugal opened the scoring in the 54th minute, but the identity of the goalscorer was shrouded in doubt, with both Bruno Fernandes and coach Fernando Santos unable to clarify after the match whether or not Ronaldo provided the decisive final touch.
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And now ESPN has been told that the technology in the ball proves that Ronaldo’s head did not make contact with the ball before the opener, meaning the goal will be awarded to Fernandes.
“In the match between Portugal and Uruguay, using the Connected Ball technology housed in adidas’ Al Rihla Official Match Ball, we are able to definitively show no contact with Cristiano Ronaldo’s ball for the opening goal in the competition,” a statement said. to ESPN from FIFA on behalf of Adidas.
“No external force on the ball could be measured, as evidenced by the lack of ‘heartbeat’ in our measurements. The 500Hz IMU sensor in the ball allows us to be very accurate in our analysis.”
The match ball contains technology that can provide real-time data to match officials. It also records every touch of players with sensors, with the original July press release stating that the technology “will help inform offside situations and help detect unclear touches, ultimately improving the quality and speed of the player’s decision-making process.” VAR is being improved.”
Fernandes’ cross in the 54th minute initially appeared to have been aimed into the net with a fleeting touch by Ronaldo’s head, but televised replays suggested the 37-year-old failed to make contact with the ball.
Fernandes was billed as the goalscorer on the big screen at the stadium, despite Ronaldo celebrating as if it were his goal, which would have taken him to nine World Cup goals for Portugal and level with legendary former striker Eusebio.
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But after being named Player of the Match, Fernandes admitted that even he didn’t know whose goal it was.
“I celebrated [the goal] like it was Cristiano’s goal,” Fernandes said in his post-match interview. “It seemed to me that he had touched the ball. My goal was to cross the ball for him.
“We are happy with the win, regardless of who scored. The most important thing is that we achieved our goal, which is to get to the next round.”
But it has now been definitively awarded to Fernandes, and Ronaldo’s wait for his ninth World Cup goal extends into their final group stage match against South Korea.
