World Cup: 5 refereeing mistakes where VAR would have altered history

#4 Fabio Grosso's dive: Italy vs Australia (2006)

Italy's Fabio Grosso dives to earn a penalty against Australia

Had VAR been introduced a decade or so ago, it may have actually prevented Italy from lifting the 2006 World Cup. Yes, one of the World Cup's most shocking decisions saw the Azzurri benefit at the expense of a heroic Australian team.

It was the Round of 16 where Italy faced the Socceroos who were at the time coached by Guus Hiddink - the man who had overseen South Korea's progress to the semi-final in the previous edition.

It was a tight game with the Australian rearguard giving Italy no quarter. Italy had been reduced to 10 men after Marco Materazzi had been sent off while Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero just couldn't find a way through.

By the end of the game, Italy were struggling and Australia looked the stronger team as extra-time loomed. However, disaster struck for Australia in stoppage time.

Italy left-back Fabio Grosso found some space on the left and first made his way past Marco Bresciano before Lucas Neill attempted to stop him by extending his leg and falling to the ground.

“I felt the contact so I went down. Therefore, I say again, I didn’t initiate it … it’s true that I felt the touch and didn’t have the strength to go forward." - Fabio Grosso

Neill missed, but Grosso left a trailing leg before clumsily falling over. The Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo pointed to the spot and substitute Francesco Totti put it away the penalty which was effectively the final kick of the game.

Had Australia taken the game to extra-time, Hiddink would have ensured a tiring Italy suffered thanks to their numerical advantage.

The Socceroos were far more resilient in that game but were undone by a penalty call that VAR would have definitely overruled after numerous replays.