France and Peru were yesterday awarded penalties using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in their World Cup Group C and D matches with Australia and Denmark respectively.

Antoine Griezmann scored the 57th minute spot kick.

In a World Cup first, referee Andres Cunha did not initially award a penalty after Greizmann was brought down by Joshua Risdon.

He was alerted by the VAR to a possible penalty and went over to the pitch side monitor. On review, he decided it was a spot kick.

The VAR system is making its first appearance at a World Cup. Four VAR officials, sitting in a room at the International Broadcasting Centre on the outskirts of Moscow are assisting match officials at the tournament.
[ad]