Trailing 2-1 to Portugal after a dramatic and chaotic second half, Croatia thought they had equalised when Josko Gvardiol tapped home from close range in the 13th minute of stoppage time.
They celebrated wildly, while Cristiano Ronaldo, who had earlier scored his first ever World Cup knockout goal for his country before being substituted, looked crestfallen on the bench.
Extra time looked certain. Step forward the video assistant referee – Premier League official Jarred Gillett – as a goal check for offside was announced.
The big question was: Had Croatia’s Igor Matanovic flicked the ball on in the build-up? If his head had touched the ball, it was offside. If not, the goal would stand.
Cue a tense wait as Norwegian referee Espen Eskas watched replay after replay, with TV pictures looking inconclusive. But a spike showed by Snickometer-style technology suggested a touch and the goal was ruled out. It was almost the last kick of the match.
The decision sparked chaotic scenes and plastic bottles were thrown on to the pitch by furious Croatia fans as their World Cup dreams were ended in the cruellest fashion.
For Croatia’s 40-year-old legend Luka Modric it was surely the end of his World Cup career, while Ronaldo’s journey continues – just hours after his sister said the tournament was his “last dance”, external.
It was a match that had everything. From disallowed goals, a debated penalty, Ronaldo intrigue and VAR controversy, a remarkable 105 minutes of drama.
