Norway defeat Australia as fans torch controversial VAR system

The Matildas’ World Cup campaign was brought to an end with football fans blowing up at the video assistant referee over several howlers.

The VAR played a big role in the Matildas clash against Norway.

It’s the system that has routinely got under the skin of football fans across the globe and on Sunday morning it reared its head once again.

Australia fell into a hole after Norway stunned them with a clinical counter-attack move to take the 1-0 lead after 30 minutes.

But a few minutes before halftime the referee blew a penalty for Australia, ruling a handball against Maria Thorisdottir.

The Norwegians protested profusely, arguing the ball hit closer to the shoulder than the arm.

Kerr lined up to take the penalty but was told to wait as the VAR was called for.

READ: Matildas’ Cup dream over

The whistleblower took a look at multiple replays and changed her mind as Australian supporters in the stadium booed the reversal.

Fans on social media were equally aggrieved with the reversal and slammed the controversial system.

If you need to watch 100x it’s not clear and obvious. VAR has been a real mess at this tournament

— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) June 22, 2019

She was right next to the incident then watched the replay 20 times... if you need to do that it’s not a clear or obvious error. Christ I hate VAR. #NORAUS

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) June 22, 2019

Once again, VAR not meant to check marginal decisions. It’s there to correct clear and obvious errors.

This excessive use of VAR to review every contentious decision defeats the purpose of having it in first place.

Implementation of VAR in this tournament is a mess.#NORAUS

— Francis Awaritefe (@FrancisAwartefe) June 22, 2019

Sadly that wasn’t the last time the system was brought into play and left fans up in arms as to the mind-boggling decision.

The Matildas levelled proceedings courtesy of a miracle goal from the corner. Elise Kellond-Knight’s corner curled towards goal and somehow evaded everyone crowded inside the box before hitting the back of the net to make it 1-1.

But moments later they surged towards goal once again only for Tameka Yallop to be taken down inside the box with a rogue challenge.

Yallop remained on the turf as the game played on, once the game was brought to a stop the decision was sent for review.

Unlike the first half it only took a few moments for the decision to be waved off and no penalty awarded once again.

That is 💯 a pen.
🤯

— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) June 22, 2019

That’s much more a penalty than the handball from the first half #Matildas #fifawwc

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) June 22, 2019

That’s a pen? At the very least pen-ish #NORAUS

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) June 22, 2019

Sam Kerr - stone wall penalty.

— Francis Awaritefe (@FrancisAwartefe) June 22, 2019

The Norwegian girl hacked her. No ball. Then the defender with a 2 handed shove in Sam Kerr’s back and ... nothing. It’s maddening, mate.

— Robert Lusetich (@RobertLusetich) June 22, 2019

As the match entered extra time, things only went from bad to worse for the Aussies and fans blew up all over again at the referee and the VAR.

An attacking push from Norway was brought to an end when Alanna Kennedy pulled on the shirt of Graham Hansen and taking her down.

The Norway forward went to ground as the referee came in before producing a straight red card to leave not only Kennedy in shock, but the rest of Australia as well.

That’s a bloody disgrace.

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) June 22, 2019

What a joke. #NORAUS #FIFAWWC

— Matt Baseley (@MattBaseley) June 22, 2019

That just broke my heart@AlannaKennedy #NORAUS

— Alexandra Huynh (@alexandra_huynh) June 22, 2019

That's quite possibly the worst red card in the history of football #NORAUS #WWC2019

— Peter Brown (@SydneyEditor) June 22, 2019

Sorry for this at this hour...
But think of the worst smelling number 2 a child can leave in their nappy and that is still not close to the pungency that equals that particular decision.

— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) June 22, 2019

Another disgraceful decision. A clear yellow for Kennedy, but certainly not a red. How is #VAR not recommending a pitch-side review of that one? Absolute shambles & sums up the woeful officiating all tournament. #Matildas right up against it here. #NORAUS #FIFAWWC

— Rob Greenwood (@robgreenwood1) June 22, 2019

Norway peppered the goals as the extra-time periods wore on but weren’t able to find the back of the net and into penalties it went.

Things quickly turned disastrous for the Matildas with Sam Kerr sending the first kick well over the bar before Norway’s keeper made two big saves and the run was brought to an end.