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Spain benefits from video technology in 2-0 win over France
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Referee Felix Zwayer, left, from Germany holds his earphone during the international friendly soccer match between France and Spain at the Stade de France in Paris, France, Tuesday. (AP/Christophe Ena)
T
he benefit of using video referees during soccer games was highlighted Tuesday when Spain rightly profited from two decisions made away from the field of play to beat France 2-0 in an international friendly in Paris.
FIFA, the game's governing body, has been using video assistant referees on a trial basis since last year and this was the first time that the extra official was used in a soccer match in France.
It proved a success.
A 48th-minute goal by France forward Antoine Griezmann was disallowed — with the score at 0-0 — because of an offside earlier in the move. The decision followed consultation between the referee and the video assistant.
Video help was needed again in the 77th minute to overturn an incorrect offside call against substitute Gerard Deulofeu after the winger applied a close-range finish to make it 2-0. Deulofeu was made to wait to celebrate the goal, but at least the correct decision was reached.
Trials will continue through 2018, with competitions and countries needing to apply to be part of the trials. But a strong case has been made for the technology to be rolled out for good.
France was on the wrong end of the video-assisted decisions at the Stade de France, and was defeated for the first time since its 1-0 loss to Portugal in the same venue in the European Championship final last year.
David Silva — a second-half substitute like Deulofeu — scored Spain's other goal, converting a 68th-minute penalty for his 30th goal in 111 international appearances.
