Projectiles have rained down on the pitch as VAR stepped in to take an equalising goal off Croatia in the dying seconds of their pulsating World Cup epic with Portugal.

Gonçalo Ramos scored a goal in stoppage time to give Portugal a dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia and secure his nation a spot in the last 16.

But there was huge drama at the death as Croatian fans and players went from ecstasy to agony within seconds, believing they had scored a stunning equaliser in the 12th minute of stoppage time ... only for VAR to step in and make a controversial off-side call.

Heartbroken fans then threw bottles and various other projectiles onto the pitch, while it was Portugal’s turn to celebrate.

“You’ve got to feel for Croatia, you can see the despair on their faces… it can be cruel,” former Socceroo Tommy Oar said on SBS.

BBC One commentator Steve Wilson said: “Bottles rain down from the Croatian supporters. One of the biggest VAR decisions there has ever been.

“Is there conclusive evidence that Mario Pasalic touched it? They must feel there is. The most dramatic second half you could ever imagine.”

VAR used FIFA’s “snicko” technology (there is a microchip inside the match ball) to make the call, which showed a spike when the ball went over Igor Matanović’s head before Pasalic got involved.

Croatian fans went wild when Josko Gvardiol struck it into the net, however, after a video review, the referee ruled the goal out for a controversial offside in the play.

Pasalic was onside when the ball was crossed to the box, but the referee deemed Matanovic had touched it, which changed Pasalic situation when he passed the ball to Gvardiol.

Portugal will now face European champions Spain, who earlier advanced thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria.

Croatia hit the target first as veteran Ivan Perisic smashed the opener into the net in the 53rd minute.

But Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th to score his first goal in a World Cup knockout match and equalise for Portugal. At the age of 41, he also became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout stage.

Croatia had two goals ruled out in the second half, one from Nikola Vlasic in the 56th and another from Petar Sucic in the 80th.

Ronaldo also had a goal disallowed shortly before he scored from the spot.

The game looked set to go to extra-time, but Ramos became Portugal’s hero.

Rafael Leão sent a superb cross into the area where Ramos found the ball with a powerful header in the fourth minute of added time.

The drama then escalated when Croatia found the back of the net deep in stoppage time, however, it was heartbreak for veteran leader Luka Modric and his teammates as the goal was also disallowed for offside.

At 40 years old, the Croatian champion has almost certainly played his final World Cup match and he was seen embracing Ronaldo after the match.

- With Agencies