The VAR call that dumbfounded the world's best refs

France defeated Senegal 3-1 to get their World Cup campaign off to a winning start

It was a decision that stunned the world's best referees.

France forward Kylian Mbappe was on the attack against Senegal when he went down inside the box after a 58th-minute challenge by Sadio Mane.

With the game goalless at the New York New Jersey Stadium. referee Alireza Faghani was sent to the pitchside monitor to look at the challenge again.

He returned to the pitch. appeared to point to the penalty spot, much to the delight of the thousands of France fans inside the ground.

However. their joy was short lived as Faghani had actually signalled for a goal-kick, before he then explained that Mbappe had initiated the contact.

Speaking to BBC One. Darren Cann - the 2010 World Cup final assistant referee - said: "My phone has blown up with messages from several of the world's best referees who also can't understand why a penalty wasn't given."

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, at the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, labelled it a "rubbish decision".

"Utter nonsense," added Nevin.

"No chance at all. How can he [Mbappe] have initiated the contact? The most nonsensical line I have ever heard."

Former England captain Alan Shearer. at the game for BBC One, said it was a "bizarre" decision not to award a penalty.

"I don't get it," added Shearer.

"You can see the lunge from Mane and his left leg catches Mbappe.

"How can Mbappe initiate contact if he is in front of him? It's bizarre it really is."

In the end the decision did not hurt France. whoran out 3-1 winnerswith Mbappe scoring two for the two-time world champions.

In doing so Mbappe replaced Olivier Giroud as France' all-time leading scorer with 58 goals in what was his 99th appearance for his country.

The Real Madrid forward also became France's all-time top scorer at World Cups with 14 goals in 15 tournament matches.

Cann added: "I can't support the referee's decision to be honest.

"For me it is a clear penalty.

"For me it is very, very clear. I am extremely surprised he did not point to the spot after a correct VAR review."

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