local
This high-tech ball was involved in one of the most dramatic moments in World Cup history
By JAMES ROBSON, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 3, 2026
· 1 min read
ATLANTA (AP) — It is called connected ball technology. And it was responsible for one of the most dramatic climaxes to a World Cup match ever. It canceled Croatia's late equalizer deep in added time against Portugal by detecting a touch that was undetectable to the naked eye and even video replay...
Key takeaway And it was responsible for one of the most dramatic climaxes to a World Cup match ever.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The use of connected ball technology in the World Cup has significant implications for local soccer enthusiasts in McAllen . As the Rio Grande Valley continues to grow as a hub for soccer fans, the integration of advanced technology in the sport is likely to spark interesting discussions among local teams and leagues. The fact that this technology can detect touches that are undetectable to the naked eye and even video replays raises questions about its potential adoption in local soccer matches. McAllen's own soccer community may be watching closely to see how this technology is received and whether it will be implemented in future tournaments and games. The Valley's strong soccer following will likely be debating the pros and cons of connected ball technology and its potential impact on the sport.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA (AP) — It is called connected ball technology. And it was responsible for one of the most dramatic climaxes to a World Cup match ever. It canceled Croatia's late equalizer deep in added time against Portugal by detecting a touch that was undetectable to the naked eye and even video replay...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JAMES ROBSON, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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