Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa delivered plenty of drama for an opening match at the World Cup.
There were three red cards, an electric Estadio Azteca crowd and a refereeing display from Wilton Pereira Sampaio that made it clear he was not afraid to make bold decisions. But one of the main talking points came just before half-time.
In the closing moments of the first half, Sampaio awarded Mexico a goal-kick when South Africa’s bench believed they should have had a corner. The staff were calling for VAR to review the decision, but the protocol does not allow for that kind of intervention.
The VAR new corner rule only works in one direction
The recent IFAB change regarding VAR and corners was not designed to review every corner decision.
Its main purpose is to prevent a team from scoring off a corner that should not have been given in the first place.
Therefore, if a referee awards a corner and replays show it should have been a goal-kick, VAR can step in.
On the other hand, if a goal-kick is given when it should have been a corner, VAR cannot instruct the referee to restart play with a corner under the protocol used in this match.
The thinking is understandable to a point. Football wants to avoid teams benefiting from an incorrect corner, especially if it leads to a goal from a restart that should not have existed.
What is harder to justify is why the opposite situation does not get the same treatment. Being denied a corner can also take away a genuine attacking opportunity, even if it is not as direct as a goal scored from a wrongly awarded corner.
South Africa’s frustration made sense. But in this case, Sampaio and the VAR team followed the rule as it stands.
