It seems that , at long last, the Video Assistant Referee technology earned some credibility in a big game.
The game between Spain and France had two initial calls by ref Felix Zwayer changed, as VAR technology operated by German referee Helmut Krug showed two offside calls were wrongfully awarded by Zwayer.
First off, Antoine Griezmann's opening goal was disallowed by Zwayer and Krug, as the replay showed that Griezmann was offside before scoring via a header. Layvin Kurzawa, who assisted Griezmann, was also offside before feeding Atlético's striker.
An example of how video assistant refs could be used going forward...
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 28, 2017
Griezmann scores but the video ref rules it out for offside: pic.twitter.com/r0IswV6EyI
As the game approached its conclusion, Gerard Deulofeu scored after a swift counter-attack. Zwayer's first reaction was to award an offside, but replays seen by Krug confirmed that the wingman was onside before scoring Spain's second goal, forcing Zwayer to change his ruling.
Video tech at work in football:
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 28, 2017
Video assistant referee overruled the offside decision and allowed Gerard Deulofeu's goal against France pic.twitter.com/SKiSpl3OuP
Maybe Video Assistant Referee technology will really make a difference, especially because it took barely ten seconds to have both rulings changed.