We are analyzing every VAR decision made throughout the 51 matches of Euro 2024. On Saturday, Spanish midfielder Rodri escaped a red card by committing a penalty against Croatia, whose resulting goal was disallowed. But why?
After each match, we review the main incidents to examine and explain the process both from the point of view of the VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.
Possible red card: Rodri attacks Petkovic
What happened: Croatia were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute when Rodri fouled Bruno Petkovic, who looked certain to score. The referee Michael Oliver showed a yellow card to the Spanish player, Stuart Attwell, with the VAR, verifying both the penalty and a possible red card.
VAR decision: A penalty is expected, a shot by Petkovic that is stopped by Unai Simón.
VAR review: Rodri's tackle looks like one that should result in a red card, and it certainly has in past seasons. However, the IFAB, football's legislators, do not like a red card when a player has performed a normal football action in relation to an opponent. So much so that last year the law prohibiting blocking an obvious scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was further relaxed.
It now says that when a defending player denies an opponent an obvious opportunity to score a goal by committing an offense that was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball“Inside the penalty area, then it should be treated as unsportsmanlike behavior and the player should only be cautioned.
This means that virtually any challenge with your feet inside the area will now be considered unsportsmanlike behavior, rather than DOGSO.
A player who “has no chance of playing the ball” still exists in the law, but would have to be exceptionally cynical to receive a red card, which is essentially reserved for “grab, pull, push.”
Two seasons ago this would be a red card, now it is not so clear.
One could also argue that the penalty itself was light, as Petkovic fell theatrically, but once applied it will not be overturned.
Possible invasion: Perisic on Petkovic's goal
What happened: Petkovic went forward to take the penalty, but it was stopped by goalkeeper Simón. The loose ball ran to Ivan Perisic, who squared up for Petkovic to score the goal on the second attempt. As the players celebrated, Attwell checked for an invasion.
VAR decision: Goal disallowed.
VAR review: As the goalkeeper took a step forward, he had one foot level with the goal line, so it was a legal stop.
Perisic, however, was encroaching, which is penalized by VAR if it has a material impact on the result. Since Perisic created the goal for Petkovic, it is clear that he did it.
Then it's a matter of restarting, and the discipline of all the Spanish players is key.
If only the attacking team is invading, the restart will be an indirect free kick in favor of Spain.
However, if players from both teams invade, the penalty will be retaken. But all the Spanish players maintained their line on the edge of the area.
Perisic was one of two Croatian players who were inside the area at the time the penalty was taken, so it was not taken again and Spain received the free kick.
