Chile beats Cameroon as video reviews draw controversy

Alexis Sanchez came off the bench to set up both Chile’s goals in a 2-0 Confederations Cup win over on Sunday — but the video assistant referees were the real stars.

Crowded in front of screens in a darkened room, they disallowed a goal for Chile’s narrowly offside Eduardo Vargas just before the break, then awarded Vargas a goal in similar circumstances late on.

With the video review system getting its first airing in a major FIFA tournament, it brought plenty of tension, but also confusion and bitterness.

Arturo Vidal’s 81st-minute header from a Sanchez cross finally gave Chile the lead, before Sanchez set up Vargas in added time for the second.

Chile missed several early chances despite clear dominance over defensive-minded Cameroon, but thought they’d taken the lead in first-half stoppage time when Vidal passed the ball to Vargas, who slotted the ball past Fabrice Ondoa.