What matters is a players' position when the ball is played.

by ndroman21, Thursday, July 16, 2026, 09:38 (7 days ago) @ omahadomer
edited by ndroman21, Thursday, July 16, 2026, 09:42

As HCE notes, the "play" can be a shot or a pass.

In the England goal, Gordon is onsides when (edit) Rogers crosses the ball. He doesn't run past the second to last defender until after the touch.

On Croatia's overturned goal, the player who assists the goal is in an offside position when the ball nicks off the other player's head. That nick is considered "playing" the ball.

Thus, the assister was offisde as soon as he became involved in the play. That offsides offense negates the ensuing pass and goal.