Adidas have proved who scored Portugal’s first goal against Uruguay in the 2022 World Cup group stages.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes he got the final touch when Portugal took the lead in the 54th minute at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
However, the goal was awarded to Bruno Fernandes because replays were unable to determine whether the ball touched Ronaldo’s head before ending up in the net.
Ronaldo sent a text message to Piers Morgan after the match, insisting he got the final touch.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s reaction after seeing Fernandes’ name and face on the scoreboard was broadcast on Argentine TV.
Adidas confirm who scored Portugal’s first goal vs Uruguay
Adidas, however, have been able to confirm who scored the goal thanks to technology.
Per the Daily Mail, a statement from Adidas read: “In the match between Portugal and Uruguay, using the Connected Ball Technology housed in adidas’s Al Rihla Official Match Ball, we are able to definitively show no contact on the ball from Cristiano Ronaldo for the opening goal in the game.
It was definitely not Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal, say adidas, who have used the 500Hz IMU sensor inside the match ball to show there was no contact. Images attached @MailSport pic.twitter.com/mjRZwcv8n8
— Kieran Gill (@kierangill_DM) November 29, 2022
“No external force on the ball could be measured as shown by the lack of ‘heartbeat’ in our measurements and in the attached graphic.
“The 500Hz IMU sensor inside the ball allows us to be highly accurate in our analysis.”
Ronaldo may think he got a touch on the ball, but Adidas’s technology proves otherwise. The goal is likely to stay with Fernandes, who went on to net a late penalty.
What else do we know about the technology in Adidas’s World Cup ball?
Adidas unveiled the first FIFA World Cup official match ball featuring connected ball technology in July.
They said on their official website at the time: “A new adidas Suspension System in the center of the ball hosts and stabilizes a 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor, which provides unprecedented insight into every element of the movement of the ball, while making this technology unnoticeable for players and not affecting its performance whatsoever. The sensor is powered by a rechargeable battery, which can be charged by induction.
“This new technology developed in close collaboration with FIFA and KINEXON, leaders in state-of-the-art sensor network and edge computing, enables the Video Match Officials to review live data for the first time by automatically providing very accurate information, 500 times per second, on when a player has touched the ball.
“It will help inform offside situations as well as assist in detecting unclear touches thereby ultimately improving the quality and speed of VAR decision-making process.”
It’s probably fair to assume that Ronaldo is not the biggest fan of the technology today.
