Explained: The ‘Snicko Moment’ Behind Sweden’s Controversial Goal At FIFA World Cup

Last Updated:June 15, 2026, 18:11 IST

Sweden benefit from Connected Ball Technology as Snicko style VAR overturns an offside call, restoring Mattias Svanberg's goal in 5-1 victory over Tunisia.

Victor Lindelöf’s Sweden were on Sunday, June 14, awarded an earlier disallowed goal using cricket-style Snicko technology during their FIFA World Cup match against Tunisia, a game they eventually won 5-1.

In the 84th minute, Swedish midfielder Mattias Svanberg thought he had put his team ahead after converting Yasin Ayari’s free-kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Sweden contested the decision, with Lindelöf and striker Alexander Isak requesting officials to consult VAR. The latter insisted he had made contact with the ball before it reached Svanberg, a touch that would have left the midfielder in an onside position.

A lack of clear visual evidence could have gone against Sweden. Still, a microchip embedded inside the Adidas Trionda match ball came to their rescue by detecting the slightest touch from Isak’s attempted flick.

The chip forms part of Adidas’ Connected Ball Technology, which tracks ball movement and contact data 500 times per second and transmits it to the Video Assistant Referee, helping officials make more accurate decisions.

For regular cricket fans, Connected Ball Technology works similarly to the Snickometer or UltraEdge systems used by the third umpire for LBW and caught-behind decisions.

In fact, a waveform displayed on the VAR monitors showed a clear spike at the exact moment the ball brushed past Isak’s outstretched boot. The VAR intervention overturned the on-field call and the goal was awarded, prompting Sweden to celebrate once again.

The Connected Ball Technology first appeared at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, where it played a key role in a high-profile decision involving Bruno Fernandes. A goal credited to a Cristiano Ronaldo header was later reassigned after post-match data confirmed that Ronaldo hadn’t made contact with Fernandes’ goal-bound cross.

As a result, the strike was awarded to Fernandes after a detailed review of the tracking data.

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