According to LADbible, Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in a World Cup knockout tie in Toronto, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring a 94th-minute winner. The match, which saw Ivan Perišić give Croatia the lead before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot with his first-ever World Cup knockout goal, also drew attention to a newly introduced FIFA rule that almost caught out the Portuguese captain.
The FIFA rule Ronaldo avoided
As reported by LADbible, FIFA introduced a new regulation before the tournament making it a straight red-card offence for players to cover their mouths while speaking during a confrontation with an opponent. The change followed an incident in February when Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior alleged he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth while speaking to the Brazilian during a Champions League match.
Despite the new rule, Ronaldo was seen covering his mouth while speaking to Croatia captain Luka Modrić before kick-off. The pair exchanged pendants and embraced in a friendly moment, with no disciplinary action taken because the regulation only applies to confrontational situations rather than casual conversations.
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina explained the distinction in June, saying: “If it is a friendly conversation, they can continue to do it without any problem. We respect that there are players who are friends and it is normal to chat before, during or after the match. When it is confrontational, it is a completely different story. Covering the mouth means you are doing something potentially very wrong. This is something you do on purpose. It is not something that a player can do instinctively.”
Read also: ‘It is clear why VAR intervened’, Martínez says after Croatia fury
The rule has already been enforced during the tournament, with Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón becoming the first player sent off under the regulation in the group stage against Turkey. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié was also dismissed for the same offence during Ecuador’s knockout defeat to Mexico.
Ronaldo’s World Cup and retirement speculation
Ronaldo was substituted in the 81st minute against Croatia after scoring the equaliser, continuing a tournament that has featured both memorable performances and off-field speculation.
His place at the World Cup had briefly been in doubt after he received a three-match suspension for violent conduct during a qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. However, FIFA suspended the second and third matches of the ban, allowing him to feature from the start of Portugal’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, recently suggested the tournament could be his final appearance for Portugal.
Read also: Portugal and Liverpool unite in poignant tributes to Diogo Jota a year after his passing
Speaking to Sport TV, she said: “Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s ending soon. The info I have, from a reliable source… this is his last dance. I believe it’s not today that they’ll say goodbye, but it’s coming soon. I strongly believe this is the farewell.”
More rule changes coming in 2026
As LADbible also noted, FIFA is preparing to introduce further rule changes designed to speed up the game and reduce time-wasting. The planned changes include:
A 10-second substitution rule
Five-second limits for throw-ins and goal kicks
Read also: Iran leaves World Cup with "final note": “Fair play is not a slogan printed on advertising boards"
Injured players remaining off the pitch for at least one minute
Expanded VAR powers
Red cards for players who leave the pitch to protest decisions
The new mouth-covering regulation is one of several measures FIFA is introducing as it continues to reshape the laws of the game ahead of the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup.
Read also: John McEnroe predicting who will win Wimbledon
Read also: Hamilton much happier this year: “Is that because it’s a fast car or a new girlfriend?”
