VAR correctly awards Alex Freeman goal in United States World Cup match

Alex Freeman saw his 43rd-minute goal correctly awarded by the video assistant referee as the United States doubled their lead against Australia at the World Cup.

The American defender nodded the ball home after Sergiño Dest’s initial shot was blocked and looped high into the air.

An on-field assistant initially flagged the play for offside, temporarily halting United States celebrations.

However, replays conclusively proved the goalscorer was in a legal position when the initial effort was struck.

VAR overturns on-field offside decision

German referee Felix Zwayer reversed the original call following a rapid intervention from compatriot Bastian Dankert in the review booth.

Former elite referee Andy Davies praised the technology’s application in rectifying an officiating mistake.

This was the correct intervention by VAR to change the on-field decision.

Andy Davies, former referee

Davies noted his surprise that the assistant referee’s flag went up in the first instance during real-time play.

Balogun cleared of goalkeeper interference

The Australian bench strongly appealed that Folarin Balogun had unfairly impeded goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the passage of play.

Officials determined the American striker did not block the shot-stopper’s line of vision.

Furthermore, the attacker made no physical contact to disrupt the Australian goalkeeper’s defensive duties.

With no grounds for an interference penalty, the technology ensured a legitimate goal stood on the global stage.