Matildas v Canada: Two World Cup VAR controversies erupt

The VAR system is in the spotlight again as two massive decisions during the Matildas match sparked furious debate.

The do-or-die FIFA Women’s World Cup match between the Matildas and Canada on Monday night was rocked by two Video Assistant Referee (VAR) dramas.

The first one came as the Matildas knocked in the first goal of the match, with Hayley Raso sweeping the ball home off her right foot.

Aussie skipper Steph Catley was initially called offside by the line judge but the VAR overturned the decision, giving the Matildas a 1-0 lead.

It was an exceptional strike from Raso and marked the perfect start.

“The early goal is just what Australia was looking for and needed in this tournament,” David Basheer said in commentary on Channel 7.

There was a hint of controversy, with some initially believing Catley was well offside before the evidence conclusively proved them wrong.

Some said she appeared to be off-side.

The replay showed Catley was on side.

Over in Britain, the BBC commentary team was blown away by the overturned decision, having initially been certain the Australian player was off-side.

“Yeah, definitely off-side there,” the network’s analyst Anita Asante said after examining the first replay.

“Even though that’ll be ruled out, it will definitely give them belief. A nice boost,” chief commentator Robyn Cowen replied. Then the call came through from VAR.

“Whoa! Australia take the lead. Clearly our eyes need a bit more checking, perhaps. Because that looked off-side. But it’s been given, and what a huge, huge goal that is,” the commentator said, in a tone of extreme surprise.

“I was sure it was off-side. But perhaps the centre back there was keeping her onside?” the analyst replied - finally cottoning on.

While Canada might have been resenting the call, Australia was rejoicing.

How’s the drama. Goal. No goal. Goal. #Matildas

— Matt Thompson (@MattThompson) July 31, 2023

A roller coaster of emotions!!! #Matildas

— Mikey Mkoka-Nicholson (@Mikey_Nicholson) July 31, 2023

Matildas robbed

Not long afterwards, Mary Fowler looked to have doubled the lead, but this time a tight offside call went against the Australians.

Melbourne went absolutely wild as Fowler blasted the ball into the back of the net.

It came after Kailen Sheridan made a fingertip save off a huge strike from Raso, but deflected the ball behind the chasing players, who overran it. Ellie Carpenter was running back onside as Fowler blasted the ball just past her and into the net.

The crowd went wild, before voicing its displeasure when the referee denied the goal, ruling Carpenter had interfered with play from an offside position.

“After the review No.21 is in an offside position, she is offside,” the referee said.

It was just a fraction of Carpenter’s heel and right shoulder that was offside.

37' ¡LE ANULAN EL GOL A #AUS! SE REVISA EL VAR Y CARPENTER ESTABA OFFSIDE (NO INTERVIENE). 1-0 SIGUE GANANDO AUSTRALIA. #FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/q1VLha2qav

— 🏆 CS ES FÚTB⚽️L & MÁS ✨️ (@CabinaSports_) July 31, 2023

Social media erupted, with one punter calling it an “unbelievably bad call”.

“Carpenter clearly trying to get out of the way after playing the ball, not blocking the keeper enough to be in play, so not off-side for me.”

Christian Marchetti chimed in: “There’s no way Ellie Carpenter has impeded the goalkeeper in saving that. If she wasn’t there, it’s the same outcome. Frustrating for the Matildas but they have Canada right where they want them regardless.”

But the Matildas did not have to wait long as Hayley Raso scored her second of the half, slotting the goal after a corner fell to her close to the goal line. They eventually won the match 4-0, qualifying for the knockout stages at the top of their group.