VAR IS HERE TO STAY

The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the World Cup got mixed reaction. But it did prove that the technology will only help on-field officials make right decisions. With VAR coming into play on numerous occasions during Russia 2018, HT looks at some of the key decisions that it took or helped reverse: UP AND DOWN

The Iran v Portugal game was by far the worst PR exercise for VAR. Five minutes into the second half; Cristiano Ronaldo went down in the box despite slightest of touches on a challenge by Saeid Ezatolahi. The referee reviewed the incident and gave Portugal a penalty, which was saved by Alireza Beiranvand.

Ronaldo was later saved by a review as Iran's players called for him to be sent off following an incident with Morteza Pouraliganji.

Iran earned a stoppagetime penalty, again with the help of VAR, when Sardar Azmoun's header struck the arm of Cedric after the pair contested a deep cross. Substitute Ansarifard buried his effort into the roof of the net to set up a dramatic finish

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

VAR played an important role in changing a yellow card during France v Peru group game. Referee Mohammed Mohammed Abdulla initially booked Peru's Edison Flores in the 81st minute.

That was correctly changed to Pedro Aquino after VAR told the referee that he was the player who had fouled Nabil Fekir. ADVANTAGE FRANCE

France were the first team to benefit from VAR intervention when they were awarded a penalty against Australia.

Antoine Griezmann was through on goal when he went down under a challenge from Joshua Risdon. A VAR review was done and, after a while, the referee awarded the penalty.

NEYMAR’S PLAY-ACTING

Brazil were pushing Costa Rica hard in their second group game. With 12 minutes left and the sides scoreless, Neymar collapsed under a touch from Giancarlo Gonzalez, leading referee Bjorn Kuipers to award a penalty.

As the Brazilians celebrated, Kuipers held his hand up to his ear, nodded his head and slipped away to the sidelines. He quickly returned, and reversed his decision. It was for the first time in the tournament that VAR had helped overturn a penalty decision.

A 50-50 DECISION

The quarter-final clash between Brazil and Belgium was a physical game with lots of tackles flying around. One of them involved Vincent Kompany’s block on Gabriel Jesus in the box.

The Brazil players immediately appealed for penalty but referee Milorad Mazic pointed to a goal kick. VAR indicated it was reviewing the incident but after a short while gave the official the green light to continue play.

TV replays — especially one from the rear as Jesus was running — suggested that it might have been closer than what the referee thought.