Antoine
Griezmann anticipated a foul by Marcelo Brozovic and flung his legs out
behind himself. The way both his legs flew out was a real tell-tale
sign for any experienced match official so I was surprised Pitana was
taken in.
That free-kick led to the first goal. Some
questioned whether it should have stood with Paul Pogba in an offside
position. He didn't touch the ball and wasn't interfering with play so
the goal was rightly allowed.
Later
in the half France took a corner which Blaise Matuidi flicked on and
the ball was knocked out of play by Ivan Perisic who appeared to use his
hand. Pitana and his on-field team were unsighted and, as it was a
serious offence which was not seen, it was correct to review it.
VAR did its job in suggesting that the on-field referee look at replays and decide for himself.
Disappointingly there appeared to be technological issues when Pitana went to watch those replays.
There
was plenty of debate around what constitutes deliberate handball but
the movement of the arm to the ball means it was deliberate and a
penalty was the correct decision.
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