Euro 2020 Qualifiers, Germany 2-4 Netherlands: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#4 Germany’s contentious penalty brings VAR into the spotlight again

Could VAR have chalked off Germany's penalty?

Ever since the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) were tried out at last summer’s World Cup, the technology and its usage has divided opinion. Though some have argued that it has made officiating less error-prone, others have thought that it has added an unwanted dimension to the game, while also not being completely fool-proof.

And, those murmurs have become louder in recent weeks, especially after VAR’s introduction into the Premier League. It has become so synonymous with controversy that the game between Germany and Netherlands, which didn’t even use the system, again raised questions if VAR is indeed a boon or a bane to the footballing fraternity.

In Hamburg, the Germans were awarded a contentious penalty, which could’ve been chalked out on two counts.

Firstly, the initial run made by Schulz before crossing the ball could’ve been given as an off-side, considering the full-back’s shoulder seemed to be beyond the visitors’ last defender.

Secondly, the ball, after looping up off Matthijs De Ligt, accidentally hit the centre back’s left arm. At first glance, the referee had no qualms about the penalty and immediately pointed to the spot.

Yet, on further introspection, one reckons that he might’ve changed his decision, more so because De Ligt was completely unaware of the trajectory of the ball.

Thus, leading several to conclude that Germany’s goal should not have stood.

Courtesy the incident, VAR had managed to hog the headlines after a game, again. Funnily though, this time around, the much-maligned system wasn’t even in use.

And, one reckons that VAR and controversy might just be one of the most compelling love stories going around, for better or for worse.