'Replays show...' - Ex-FIFA official re-analyses 'Snicko' goal controversy in Portugal vs Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were saved correctly by a "Snicko" VAR call in a dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia at the 2026 World Cup.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Mario Pasalic was caught offside in the build-up on Friday, 3 July.

Ronaldo and Goncalo Ramos appeared to have completed the turnaround after Ivan Perisic's opener at the Toronto Stadium, but there was still time for one more twist.

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol thought he had found an equaliser in the 13th minute of added time, only to see his goal cruelly ruled out by VAR.

The pitch-side review found that, while Pasalic was initially onside, Igor Matanaovic's flick-on put the Croatian midfielder in an offside position.

It was FIFA's new technology that caught the incident, with the motion sensor being triggered by Matanovic's most-deft of touches in the penalty area.

Croatia left heartbroken by spot-on VAR decision

Of course, it was an incredibly cruel moment for the Croatians, who had already wheeled away in celebration, but it would appear that the correct decision was reached.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett said: "With seconds left in added time, a cross into Portugal's penalty area resulted in a last-gasp 'goal'.

"What followed was a huge celebration that was cut short when VAR intervened and sent the referee to the pitch-side monitor to review.

"Replays showed that when the cross was initially chucked into the area, the assister was onside. However, the ball, on its way to goal, was headed by a Croatian player.

"At the point of contact, the assister was now in an offside position. The referee, viewing the monitor, returned to the field of play and correctly ruled out the goal."

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence on international retirement rumours

This could have been Ronaldo's final-ever game for Portugal, especially had Ramos not found that winner or Croatia's equaliser not been ruled out.

His sister suggested that the superstar's retirement from international football could be right around the corner, and Ronaldo hasn't exactly reassured anyone.

Speaking after the game, he said: "I no longer make my decisions, or at least I no longer make many of them, while under emotional influence. We will see after the World Cup."

At 41 years of age, he continues to push the boundaries of human endurance, and it would be a huge moment in footballing history were he to retire from the international stage.

Luckily for him, he has at least one more game against Spain in the round of 16 to prove himself at the very top level again.