5 famous calls that would have been changed by VAR

LE HAVRE, FRANCE - JUNE 23: Referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin disallows the first goal following a VAR review during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Round Of 16 match between France and Brazil at Stade Oceane on June 23, 2019 in Le Havre, France. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /

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MONTREAL, QC – JUNE 30: Carli Lloyd of USA clebrates scoring her penalty goal with Tobin Heath during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Semi Final match between USA and Germany at Olympic Stadium on June 30, 2015 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Stuart Franklin – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /

1. U.S. survived despite penalties, Ertz tackle

Breaks are what teams may need to win World Cup games. In the 2015 World Cup semifinals between the U.S. and Germany, America may have been on the lucky side of a couple of questionable calls.

After a scoreless first half, Julie Ertz brought down Germany’s Alexandra Popp, leading to a penalty and an Ertz booking. Celia Sasic could not convert the penalty, keeping the game leveled, 0-0. Soon after, Annike Krahn brought down Alex Morgan on the edge of the box, but Teodora Albon awarded a penalty that Carli Lloyd converted the penalty for the first goal.

Kelley O’Hara ended the drama with a game-sealing, 84th-minute goal to send the Americans past the Germans 2-0.

Germany may still wonder what would have happened with VAR in Use. Ertz could have been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, forcing the U.S. to play the rest of the game with 10 players and missing key defender. U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo not only intimidated Sasic, but she also went off her line.

Finally, Krahn may have fouled Morgan outside the penalty area, which would have resulted in a free kick. Whether fans like it or not, VAR will remain an integral part of soccer matches in for years to come. Ultimately, fans will be more familiar with how VAR changes games.