Keith Hackett 'surprised and disappointed' as Scotland saved by VAR vs Brazil

Referee Cesar Arturo Ramos Palazuelos deserves to be questioned after Brazil saw a second goal ruled out against Scotland.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that, while the correct decision was reached, it was disappointing to see VAR needed.

Vinicius Junior had already opened the scoring in the seventh minute, pouncing on a mistake from Scott McKenna, before doubling the score just 15 minutes later.

While the Real Madrid wheeled away in celebration, VAR operators began studying the goal, with Jack Hendry's ankle being clipped on Wednesday, 24 June.

There was a debate between pundits over whether the touch was enough to award a foul to Steve Clarke's side, but either way, it was a let off at the Miami Stadium.

That was, however, until Vinicius grabbed his second just before the half-time break, and Matheus Cunha netted on the hour mark to put serious doubts over Scotland's chances of advancing in the tournament.

FIFA to be concerned over Scotland-Brazil controversy

It would appear that the overriding consensus was that ruling the goal out was the correct decision, but Hackett still couldn't hide his frustrations.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: "It's good to see VAR with some correct intervention when Brazil scored their second goal.

"It was evident that a Scottish player had been fouled in the build-up, leading to the goal. It's exactly what you want from the use of VAR.

"However, I must admit that I was rather surprised and disappointed that the referee didn't detect the foul and rule it out himself.

"But at the end of the day, the goal was ruled out correctly, and we got the right decision."

Steve Clarke rubs salt into the wounds after full-time

It is was awful night for the Tartan Army, who are at serious risk of not reaching the knockout stages after shipping three goals against Brazil.

The Scots are now relying on various other results to go their way, which is not the way the team would have wanted the tournament to go after qualifying for the first time since 1998.

Clarke, who was clearly frustrated at full-time, admitted that he doesn't expect Scotland to make it through, even walking out halfway through his interview with the BBC.

The head coach is, understandably, at the centre of a media storm now, and that is the last thing the national team needs if they do somehow advance to the knockout stages.