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
Good afternoon, and welcome to St. Mary's for Mauricio Pochettino's post-match press conference after the 2-1 defeat at Southampton. Dele Alli made his return to training this week, and was put straight into the starting line up by Pochettino, while Kyle Walker-Peters was handed a rare start at right-back with Kieran Trippier missing out through injury and Serge Aurier rested.
The tactic that frustrates a lot of Spurs fans arguably the
Neil Warnock says Emiliano Sala tragedy most difficult week of his career The light aircraft carrying Emiliano Sala disappeared over the English Channel a week ago as the 28-year-old flew to
Football: Warnock says Sala tragedy is most difficult week of
When it comes to dating, many of us shuffle the cards and play the game. We just can't help ourselves… the chase can be an addiction. Playing hard to get is a flirtatious, natural, fun
When Should You Play Hard to Get? | Psychology Today
By training 10,000 more students each year than any other driver's ed option in the state, by offering hundreds of classes at 70+ classroom locations, and by featuring the only customer service center of any school in CT - The Next Street is The Best Driving School in Connecticut. go ahead
Next Official Site: Online Fashion, Kids Clothes & Homeware
chelsea Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top four EPL spot. Chelsea moved three points clear of London rivals Arsenal, who were beaten at Southampton.
Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top four spot
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle The Saigon Times Daily Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the match at St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain January 29, 2019 - PHOTO: REUTERS
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle - The
Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched by a pitch-invading Birmingham fan in a shocking incident during Sunday's Championship clash, but the midfielder had the last laugh as he scored the
Villa's Grealish has last laugh after Birmingham fan attack
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to footballer Sala. The player's body was recovered from the submerged wreckage on 7 February but 59-year-old Ibbotson remains missing.
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to
Football: Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina insists that his side must set a positive tone for next season by finishing the current campaign with wins over the big teams.
Kent Eriksen Cycles Seatposts
Real Madrid Kit 2019/20: First Images of Los Blancos' Classy New Home Strip in Store Jamie Clarke 22 May 2019 Pictures have emerged Real Madrid's new home kit in a shop, with the 2019/20 home
Kevin De Bruyne jokes about Eden Hazard's move to Real Madrid
Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town Soccer Football - Premier League - Huddersfield Town v Southampton - John Smiths Stadium, Huddersfield, Britain - December 22, 2018 Southamptons Nathan Redmond in action with Huddersfield Towns Terence Kongolo REUTERS/Andrew Yates (Reuters) - HU
Uk | Southampton power past struggling Huddersfield Town - Soccer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tells Manchester United to go all out on the attack against PSG Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put the smile back on the face of Manchester United since he took over from Jose Mourinho.
United will attack Spurs, vows Lingard - sportsmax.tv
0 comments:
Post a Comment