Costa first player to be awarded goal through VAR

Diego Costa's equaliser for Spain against Portugal on Friday was the first time a World Cup goal was awarded after a review from the video assistant referee (VAR).

The striker's goal was allowed to stand despite a collision with defender Pepe.

Costa ran into the Portuguese centre back in the build-up to his equaliser in the 24th minute to cancel out Cristiano Ronaldo's fourth-minute penalty.

Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi gave the goal after consulting the VAR team.

The system, which was trialled in Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A last season, allows the video assistant to review decisions where a “clear and obvious” error is spotted.

Later in the first half, Spain midfielder Isco asked Rocchi to consult the video assistant again when a shot from Andres Iniesta came flying off the underside of the bar but the Italian indicated he would have received a signal on his watch from the goal line technology being used had the ball crossed the line.