FIFA World Cup 2018 - Final [15 July] **spoilers**

[Kenai]

Croatia are going to get robbed here, 2 decisions gone Frances way that shouldn't have and goals from both

 

[mike62]

Croatia getting absolutely robbed.

 

[spook2575]

Where's this ref from and how much have France paid him?

Exactly what i was thinking. Undeserved lead

 

[manic111]

That is ******* ridiculous. Never a penalty, dive for the first goal. If VAR continues to be used like this I'm done with football.

 

[Marky]

Very polarising decision there!

 

[Purdy]

How the **** do half of you expect to react to a player missing the ball a yard in front of you and withdraw your arm behind your back? Have you jumped whilst running before?

 

[Danny75]

Was never a penalty. Players who don't want to give away a penalty instinctively bring their arm closer to their body if the ball is coming near it. Bad decision.

 

[Shamikebab]

So you think as the ball passes the French player a yard in front of him who should head it that is likely he meant to handle it?

Very yikes

Yes, he swings his hand down to block it. Unmistakable, unnatural movement.

 

[FoxEye]

Never a penalty. I wonder if the people here have ever played football or if they've just watched it on TV.

He was trying to tuck his arm down by his side, and at the same time moving his leg up to meet the ball. Added to the fact that he's partially unsighted and can't see the flight of the ball, the idea that he intentionally move his arm to handball it is laughable.

 

[Azza]

French lining up like England for corner.

Are we going to start seeing the norm now being that sort of corner where they all line up like a train before spreading out?

First time I've seen it was at this tournament.

It's just a simple stack. 1st stay still, 2nd step out left or right, 3rd go far post, 4th go near post. Rinse repeat.

I don't know why it's taken this long for professional football to do it. I was getting our high school side to do it years a go.

 

[Pigeon_Killer]

Yes, he swings his hand down to block it. Unmistakable, unnatural movement.

I'm astounded people can't see that.

 

[manic111]

Indeed, if your hand is away from the body and you just let the ball hit it, it’s a penalty. The guidelines are pretty clear on that.

He didn't have time to get his hand out the way - it's all very well letting it hit your hand, but if you see it a fraction of a second earlier what else can you do?

If a ref gives that in open play then it's soft but I'm ok with that, but to stop the game because the French appealed and then give it when it's 50/50 at best is disgusting.

 

[Yadda]

Indeed, if your hand is away from the body and you just let the ball hit it, it’s a penalty. The guidelines are pretty clear on that.

There's the counter-argument of "you can't jump without moving your arms" though.

there will never be 100% concensus on those decisions, VAR or no VAR.

 

[lltfdaniel]

I am not surprised, i'll be back to say france won .

 

[Purdy]

Yes, he swings his hand down to block it. Unmistakable, unnatural movement.

Damn those are some insane reactions

Also your arms coming down as you land from a jump is hardly unnatural

 

[mike62]

Yes, he swings his hand down to block it. Unmistakable, unnatural movement.

He didn't have enough time between the ball passing the player in front to react.

 

[McBain]

Blatant penalty.

 

[Marky]

Personally I agree with the ref that it was a penalty - It effected play and it seemed unnatural to me.

 

[manic111]

There's the counter-argument of "you can't jump without moving your arms" though.

there will never be 100% concensus on those decisions, VAR or no VAR.

Exactly, so it's not a decision which VAR should be used for.

 

[Kenai]

Damn those are some insane reactions

Nah, psychic innit