Spain Defeat France

The video assistant referee twice played an important role as Spain beat France 2-0 in a friendly in Paris on Tuesday.

FIFA is testing VARs ahead of their possible use at the World Cup, and the system ruled out a goal that had been given for France, and later overruled a linesman to grant Spain a goal.

Antoine Griezmann thought he had put France ahead in the second half, but after the goal was originally given, the VAR called down to the match referee and disallowed the goal for offside in the buildup.

Spain then found the breakthrough from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, David Silva converting his shot after Laurent Koscielny fouled Gerard Deulofeu in the box.

Nine minutes later, the VAR was again called upon after a linesman ruled Deulofeu was offside before he put in Silva’s cross. The call was promptly overturned and the goal allowed to stand.

France coach Didier Deschamps said he had problem with the use video, despite both results going against his side.

“If it is verified and it is fair, why not [use VAR],” he told TF1. “It changes our football a little. It’s against us today, but if we have to go through this, it will be the same for everyone. Afterwards, without [VAR, the result] would have been different, but it is the evolution of football. That’s how it will be.”

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui insisted VAR was not the game’s only deciding factor, saying: “The VAR has not favoured us. It was the attitude of my players that won the game. I’m very happy.”