PORTO • Portugal coach Fernando Santos hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as a "football genius" after his 53rd career hat-trick sent Portugal into the final of the Nations League on home soil with a 3-1 win over Switzerland.
The hosts had to withstand a moment of VAR (video assistant referee) controversy. After Ronaldo's free kick opened the scoring, Portugal thought they had the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot when Fabian Schar upended Bernardo Silva inside the six-yard area.
Instead, in a bizarre turnaround of events, German referee Felix Brych reversed his initial decision and awarded a spot kick at the other end for an earlier incident, when Swiss midfielder Steven Zuber went down under a challenge from Nelson Semedo.
Brych, after consulting the VAR, decided to review the Swiss incident on the pitchside monitor and awarded them the penalty, which Ricardo Rodriguez converted to seemingly send the game to extra time.
However, Ronaldo predictably took centre stage as he struck twice in the final two minutes to set up a final clash with either England or the Netherlands on Sunday.
"I was his coach in 2003 and I could see where he'd go," said Santos. "He's a genius. There's genius paintings and sculptures and he's a football genius.
"Simply a genius. When a player scores three goals in a game, of course he makes the difference."
English Premier League clubs will hope that there will be less VAR drama when the system is implemented next season, after they voted on Wednesday to allow replays of incidents reviewed by VAR to be shown on big screens in stadiums.
"If the VAR believes there is a definitive video clip which helps explain an overturned decision to fans, it will be broadcast on giant screens," the Premier League said in a statement.
VAR was used at last year's World Cup in Russia, this season's Champions League knockout stages and has already been in use in other top European leagues such as Germany's Bundesliga and Spain's La Liga. But replays have never been shown to the fans inside the stadium, leaving them in the dark while referees take a closer look.
The Premier League confirmed it was also looking at ways for supporters to view the clips on handheld devices via an app.
For clubs that do not have giant screens in their stadiums, VAR communications will be made through a combination of announcements and messages on scoreboards.
The Premier League has also created graphics that will be displayed on giant screens to explain any VAR-related delay to a match, and any overturned decision.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
A Hurri-Kane will hit Singapore shores in July as English Premier League membership Tottenham Hotspur introduced yesterday that their first group, headlined by England captain Harry Kane, will go to the Republic as a part of their pre-season tour.
Confirmed: Dates and venues for Spurs' 2019 International
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 24, 2019, with the headline ''Electric' Sterling has boss purring'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
'Electrical' Sterling has boss purring - Latest News
Report Ad
Buy Hamilton Musical Tickets Today. Find Broadway & Theatre Tickets Online.
Madrid: Zinedine Zidane will make a shock return as coach of Real Madrid after the club decided on Monday to sack Santiago Solari, say reports in the Spanish press. Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly met with the board and resolved to dismiss Solari, with Zidane set to be his
Zidane set for shock Madrid return - reports - sports.yahoo.com
Fabio Quagliarella became Italy's oldest goalscorer as his double helped Roberto Mancini's rejuvenated side thrash 10-man Liechtenstein 6-0 in their second Euro 2020 qualifier on Tuesday.
Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are not scared of playing the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona at the Camp Nou after drawing the Catalans on Friday. United were originally drawn to play at Barcelona in the first leg, which would have given them the
Solskjaer insists United don't fear Camp Nou test after
Stadium switch poised to lift Spurs LONDON • Mauricio Pochettino has hailed Tottenham's newly opened stadium as "the best in the world" and that "the facilities would convince people to sign for the club".
Spurs Fan Club Singapore - Best Fan ImageForms.Co
Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol Rejected by Paris Saint-Germain after the world-record signing of Neymar, Lucas Moura propelled Tottenham to heights the French giants could
Lucas Moura: From PSG cast off to Tottenham idol
Singapore national team, Raddy Avramovic and Shahril Ishak in running for AFF Awards 2013 along with Singapore team-mates Baihakki Khaizan and Mustafic Fahrudin. Football Association of
Singapore National Football Team, Kallang Roar & the Die Hard
Paris (AFP) - Japan failed to break down a determined and well-organised Argentine defence in Paris on Monday in the first goalless draw of the women's World Cup. Japan, finalists in 2015 and winners in 2011, enjoyed almost two thirds of possession, but only forced two saves from goalkeeper Vanina Correa.
Watch Argentina v Japan live in the Fifa Women's World Cup
Football: Man Utd legends thrash Bayern in 1999 charity
Sports Direct annual profits fall 59% as weak pound takes its toll The high street retailer controlled by Mike Ashley reports a big drop in annual earnings after a costly hit from the weak pound
What is on Eleven Sports UK, how much does it cost, what
"Yes, this is a must-win, but we must play our normal game according to the plan that the coach will give us to master and apply on the day. That we have beaten them before will not count on the
Celtic can stun Zenit if we execute game plan to perfection
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen