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

#3 Thierry Henry's handball: France vs Republic of Ireland (2010 playoff)

Thierry Henry handles the ball prior to his assist for William Gallas' goal

While this incident did not actually take place at the World Cup, it did decide who would actually go through to the main event in South Africa. When France and Republic of Ireland failed to qualify automatically, they were drawn against each other and it could have gone either way.

France won the first leg 1-0 from a Nicolas Anelka goal before Robbie Keane scored in the return leg to make it 1-1 after 90 minutes. And it was in extra-time, specifically the 103rd minute, when Thierry Henry became the most hated man in Ireland.

After Les Bleus won a free-kick, Florent Malouda in a ball that beat everyone except Henry at the far post. In truth it had beaten him too but the French striker stuck his hand out and prevented a goal kick before crossing the ball to William Gallas who headed home from point-blank range.

As France celebrated Ireland's players remonstrated as one, pointing to their hand. The linesman did not react and the referee allowed the goal to stand, sparking furious reactions from the players and the away fans at the Stade de France.

What made them even more enraged was the fact that Henry celebrated what was clearly an illegitimate goal.

“I will be honest, it was a handball. But I’m not the ref. I played it, the ref allowed it. That’s a question you should ask him.” - Thierry Henry

“I think it was quite blatant that he cheated. The linesman was in line with the incident, it wasn’t even a hard decision to make.” - Ireland defender Richard Dunne

Had VAR been used, replays would have clearly showed Henry sticking out his left hand to control the ball before quickly lobbing it past goalkeeper Shay Given.

“I would prefer to go out on penalties than this. I am sad because the referee had the time to ask the linesman and Henry." - Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni

It was injustice of the highest order, denying a team on the rise a chance to cement their place in what would have been their fourth World Cup.

Karma had other plans for France, though. After qualifying for the World Cup, they crashed out in the group stages without a win - finishing last in a group which had Uruguay, Mexico, and hosts South Africa (who beat Les Bleus in the final group game in only their third World Cup).