Cristiano Ronaldo's last-gasp winner for Manchester United against Villarreal should have been chalked off, according to former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Ronaldo, 36, struck in the 95th minute of the Champions League clash to put the Red Devils 2-1 up with seconds remaining.
The Portugal captain nodded down Fred's cross and received the ball back from Jesse Lingard before finishing powerfully beyond Geronimo Rulli to prompt incredible celebrations in the United dugout and around Old Trafford.
Villarreal did not protest the goal as Ronaldo wheeled away in celebration, but Reina insists they were robbed of a valuable point in Group F.
The former Villarreal and Liverpool shot-stopper took to Twitter to post exploding head and angry emojis, writing: "Offside all day long…#ManUnitedVillarreal."
Spanish World Cup-winner Reina, 39, appeared to take issue with Lingard's positioning as Ronaldo made contact with his shot. The England international was on the ground in front of Rulli having fallen over after prodding the ball to his teammate.
Lingard appeared to be in an offside position, but as Spanish football reporter Fran Navarro replied, he did not "interfere" with the goalkeeper.
Reina did not accept that explanation, however, and hit back by saying Lingard was in Rulli's line of sight.
Navarro attached another replay of Ronaldo's goal and replied: "No, it's slightly below the goalkeeper's line of sight. In this shot you can see it."
The debate raged for some time, with Reina posting a picture of Lingard lying down just in front of Rulli with a thumbs up emoji pasted next to the 28-year-old.
In a bid to hammer his point home, Navarro, of Planeta Fichajes , said: "Lingard doesn't interfere with the goalkeeper, Pepe. In fact it is launched and does not stop it.
"This type of action I have given in a Fifa seminar with [Sergey] Ivanov, a referee who was in the 2006 World Cup."
Reina then conceded Navarro's viewpoint may be correct in the eyes of football law, but he insisted Lingard was "harming" Rulli's ability to make the all-important save.
Should Cristiano Ronaldo's goal have stood? Have your say in the comments.
The Lazio goalkeeper - who made 147 appearances for Villarreal and 396 for Liverpool - wrote: "Fran, you may be technically right but as a goalkeeper, I assure you that a player who is on the ground in front of you effects the stopping action without a doubt!
"I would have felt harmed. Anyway, the game was beautiful and Villarreal fell with great honor!!"
Navarro had the last word, pointing out Rulli did not complain the goal stood, adding: "The action will have been seen in the VAR".
