For 90 minutes, Hamrun Spartans were battling to stay in Europe. Then one split-second misunderstanding changed everything.

The Maltese side looked set to see out the closing stages of their UEFA Conference League qualifier against NSÍ Runavík.

Instead, the match produced one of the strangest endings of the season.

As the ball rolled towards the byline, Hamrun’s players were convinced it had gone out for a goal kick.

One of them picked it up.

The referee disagreed.

Ninety-first minute

Rather than awarding a goal kick, the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

NSÍ converted from the spot in the 91st minute to win 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, knocking Hamrun out of the UEFA Conference League.

The incident immediately spread across social media, with many supporters unable to believe what had happened.

Some argued the ball had already crossed the line.

Others pointed out one brutal reality.

You should never stop playing until the whistle goes.

The difference between a goal kick and a penalty was only a matter of inches.

For Hamrun, it turned out to be the difference between staying in Europe and going home.