‘I’d like to retract everything I’ve said about VAR’: Wales fans hail video technology after it ruled out late Mario Gavranovic winner for Switzerland in drawn Euro 2020 opener in Baku
Wales fans breathed a huge sigh of relief on social media as VAR intervened at Euro 2020 for the first time this summer to disallow a late Switzerland goal on Saturday.
With the scores locked at 1-1, substitute striker Mario Gavranovic slammed home from close range just seconds after coming off the bench – but the video technology found the Switzerland forward to be inches offside.
Rob Page’s side held on for a vital point that keeps them in the hunt for a knockout stage place, with Wales supporters breathing a huge sigh of relief both in the Baku Olympic Stadium and at home.
Wales fans were joyous after VAR denied Switzerland a late winner in their Euro 2020 group tie
Mario Gavranovic thought he had won the game for the Swiss with a late strike inside the box
Former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage bellowed on BBC commentary duty: ‘The hearts of those Welsh fans are pounding… offside! I called it! It’s offside! Never in doubt.’
Meanwhile, comedian Ellis James tweeted after the game: ‘Well I’ll take that. And I’d like to retract everything I have ever said about VAR. This. Team. Scores. Late. Goals.’
A Wales away fan group posted: ‘Can I shock you? I like VAR’ while another fan posted: ‘I LOVE VAR I WISH IT WAS MY DAD’.
But VAR found Gavranovic was marginally offside meaning the goal was disallowed
Wales fans couldn’t hide their love for the video technology that rules out Switzerland’s goal
One Wales fan added ‘Until now I’ve hated VAR. A lot. But not anymore’ and another fan tweeted: ‘Anyone know how to delete old tweets about VAR and short corners?’
Wales fell behind in their Group A opener at the start of the second-half when Breel Embolo headed home from a corner, but Page’s side never lost hope and found themselves an equaliser from a corner themselves.
Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore headed home a well-worked set piece routine with just over 15 minutes to go, before Gavranovic’s disallowed strike.
Wales were indebted to goalkeeper Danny Ward who made several crucial saves in the final ten minutes to deny Switzerland from regaining the league once again.
Kieffer Moore’s goal on 74 minutes cancelled out Breel Embolo’s opener to earn Wales a draw
Both Wales and Switzerland are now two points behind Group A leaders Italy, who beat Turkey 3-0 in the opening match at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Friday night.
Page’s Wales face bottom side Turkey on Wednesday night knowing that a win significantly boosts their chances of earning a knockout spot.
Wales can reach the last-16 later this month through either the automatic top two qualification spots or as one of the four best-ranked third-placed teams.