The use of video assistant referees (VAR) is being rolled out for the first time at the World Cup and Goal takes a look at some of the incidents
GettyFrance vs Croatia – Perisic handball leads to penalty
VAR: Yes
Verdict: Opinion split
The first-ever use of VAR at the World Cup final occurred during the first half of France vs Croatia.
With the score tied at 1-1, following an own goal from Mario Mandzukic and a leveller from Ivan Perisic, the Croatia goalscorer soon found himself at the centre of controversy.
An Antoine Griezmann corner was delivered to the near post towards the head of France's Blaise Matuidi. Perisic knocked the ball behind the goal, with the French team's claims for a handball largely ignored by referee Nestor Pitana.
The incident was then checked by officials, with Pitana then notified, and the referee proceeded to review the claim on the pitch-side screen.
Pitana eventually awarded the spot-kick, which Griezmann converted to give Les Bleus a 2-1 lead going into half time.
AdvertisementGettyColombia vs England – Barrios only shown yellow
VAR: No
Verdict: Wrong decision
With Harry Kane having been brought down just outside of the box, England had a good chance to open the scoring with a free-kick.
Tensions rose in the wall between Wilmar Barrios and Jordan Henderson, however, with the former first headbutting the Liverpool man in the chest before raising his head, catching the midfielder's chin – though many felt the latter overplayed his reaction to the impact.
The referee opted not to go to VAR for what could have been construed as a piece of violent conduct, but did present Barrios with a yellow card.
GettyRussia vs Spain – Spain denied extra-time penalty
VAR: Yes
Verdict: Correct decision
Russia were desperately clinging on to a 1-1 draw with Spain after taking the 2010 champions to extra-time in Moscow.
When a late delivery was whipped into the box, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique felt that they were being held by Ilya Kutepov and Sergei Ignashevich respectively. Their protests were waved away at the time, with further frustration facing La Roja – who would go on to lose in a penalty shoot-out – following a VAR review.
GettyRussia vs Spain – Russia awarded penalty
VAR: No
Verdict: Correct decision
Spain were apparently comfortable at 1-0 up against Russia in their last-16 match when their hosts were awarded a corner.
Gerard Pique missed his header from the kick, allowing Artem Dzyuba to head the ball goalwards. However, the Barcelona defender blocked it with his hand, despite not facing the man he was supposed to be marking. He had moved his hand upwards in an unnatural motion and, once the kick had been awarded, Dzyuba beat David de Gea from 12 yards.