Kazan, Russia: France’s Antoine Griezmann, who scored the first World Cup penalty awarded through the VAR system in the 2-1 win over Australia, said on Saturday it was “a good job” the technology was in place.
The Atletico Madrid star wrote his name into the history books after he went down under a tackle from Josh Risdon in the penalty box in the second half of the Group C fixture.
Referee Andres Cunha from Uruguay did not initially award a spot-kick but after running to the touchline to view the VAR footage, ruled it was a penalty and Griezmann slotted past Socceroos goalkeeper Mathew Ryan at the Kazan Arena.
Mile Jedinak equalised from the spot for Australia before Paul Pogba gave France victory in the 81st minute.
“It’s a good job there was video in this case,” Griezmann said. “I think it was a penalty, he caught me on the left foot. Just after I got up, it was hurting a bit. That’s not simulation.”
Griezmann admitted France had not played well.
“It wasn’t a great match for the team or for me, but the important thing is to start with a victory.
“I know I can do far better, but I am relaxed about it, I know it is going to get better.”
Australia coach Bert van Marwijk hit out at Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha following their defeat to France.
Although hailing the “guts” of his Socceroos side, Van Marwijk — who coached the Dutch to the 2010 World Cup final — could not hide his disappointment with Cunha.
“I hoped that maybe one time there would be a very honest referee, and in that moment, that he wouldn’t go to the video screen,” the Dutchman said afterwards after being asked his reaction to seeing Cunha rush to the touchline to consult footage of Josh Risdon’s foul on Griezmann.
“I saw him standing there. The body language (seemed to suggest) was that he didn’t know, from my position.
“And then you have to take a decision — France or Australia. I got a lot of reactions, let’s say that out of 10 people seven said it was a penalty and three said no penalty.
“So I don’t know. I have to see it (the footage).”
The 65-year-old Dutchman added: “It’s very difficult to decide when you have 50,000 people (in the stadium) on his back, he must decide.
“He was standing very close to the moment of the penalty, and he said directly, ‘Go (play) on’.
“He’s also a human being, and everyone makes mistakes.”
Van Marwijk, who led the Netherlands to the final in 2010 before an extra time defeat to Spain, said however he was not bitter against France.
“I wish them all the luck, and I mean that,” he said.
VAR has been used to varying degrees of success in Serie A and the German Bundesliga, while Fifa used the system at the Confederations Cup in Russia last year.
But the English Premier League has put its introduction on hold after it was trialled in cup competitions.
