Video Assistant Referee system used for first time in World Cup history

The referee did not award a spot-kick but the VAR officials ruled after a review that it was a penalty and Antoine Griezmann gave France a 1-0 lead.

June 16, 2018 05:12 pm | Updated 05:19 pm IST - Kazan, Russia

France's Antoine Griezmann scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Group C match between France and Australia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia on June 16, 2018.

France's Antoine Griezmann scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Group C match between France and Australia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia on June 16, 2018.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was used for the first time in World Cup history on Saturday, when France were awarded a penalty against Australia in Kazan.

Antoine Griezmann went down after a tackle in the penalty box in the second half of the Group C fixture.

The referee did not award a spot-kick but the VAR officials ruled after a review that it was a penalty and Griezmann gave France a 1-0 lead.

Minutes later Australia drew level through a spot-kick of their own although it was awarded by the referee, with Mile Jedinak coolly beating Hugo Lloris.

VAR has been used to varying degrees of success in Serie A and the German Bundesliga, while FIFA used the system at the Confederations Cup in Russia last year.

FIFA director of referees Massimo Busacca admits the system has been rushed in for the World Cup, but insists officials are ready and VAR will help referees make better decisions in Russia.

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