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France vs Australia: Antoine Griezmann World Cup VAR decision slammed by BBC Sport pundit
VAR overturned a decision for the first time ever in a World Cup during France’s clash with Australia today - but was the right call made?
France were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second half of the Group C clash in Kazan.
Referee Andres Cunha initially did not award the spot kick after Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann was involved in a collision with Australia defender Joshua Risdon.
However, after referring the decision to the Video Assistant Referee and watching the incident on a monitor, Cunha overturned his initial call and pointed to the spot.
Griezmann emphatically smashed home from 12 yards but BBC Sport co-commentator Mark Lawrenson says the wrong decision was made.
It’s impossible to stop your foot or your leg following through. Not for me I’m afraid, I’m sorry
“I think he just touches the ball onto his foot,“ Liverpool legend Lawrenson said of Risdon.
“There, slightest of touches, but it doesn’t matter if it was slight or heavy.
“He touched the ball, he’s always going to follow through.
“It’s impossible to stop your foot or your leg following through. Not for me I’m afraid, I’m sorry.
“It’s a really well taken penalty. But I was just convinced the Australian player very much got a touch on the ball. It’s a good pen, no argument.
“The referee has to be 100 per cent certain that was a penalty? Okay.
“I think so (they’ve got it wrong).”
Just four minutes later Australia had their own penalty, which Aston Villa midfielder Mile Jedinak scored to equalise.