Chile wins opening match at Confederations Cup 2017

Scoring two goals in the final nine minutes, the defending Copa America champions defeated Cameroon 2-0 in a match marred by controversy over the video assistant referee.

Vidal and Vargas complained to the referee after being denied goals at the end of the first half. Photo: Reuters.

Goals: Vidal 81', Vargas 90'+1.

This was the first match of Group B, which also featured world champions Germany. Although rated higher than their African opponents, Chile had to wait until nine minutes to open the scoring with a header from Arturo Vidal. In the first minute of stoppage time, Eduardo Vargas scored the second goal after a counter-attack in which Alexis Sanchez dribbled past both the Cameroon goalkeeper and defender but could not finish.

The highlight of the match was two refereeing decisions, after consulting with the video assistant, that changed the score. At the end of the first half, Chile had the ball in the net for Cameroon when Vargas met Vidal's through ball and chipped the ball past the goalkeeper. However, after a minute of celebration from the Chilean players and coaching staff, the referee declared the goal disallowed. Video footage showed that Vargas was offside by a few centimeters. The referee's decision was met with a furious reaction from the Chilean players, especially midfielder Vidal.

The second time the referee overturned his decision after consulting the video assistant was for Vargas' goal late in the second half. The goal was initially disallowed because the linesman had ruled Vargas offside as Sanchez ran down the pitch. However, after consulting the video assistant, the referee decided to allow the goal.

Vargas scores against Cameroon. Photo: Reuters.

The 2017 Confederations Cup is the second international tournament FIFA has used video assistant technology after the U20 World Cup. Right from the first matches, this technology caused great controversy after turning the players and coaching staff of both teams from joy to disappointment, then from indignation to happiness while the audience in the stadium did not understand what was going on.

Putting aside the controversy over officiating, this was a match in which the South American representative showed superiority over their opponents. In the first minute of the first half, Vargas had a shot that hit the post. Alexis Sanchez did not start the game but came on as a substitute after more than 10 minutes of the second half.

The Arsenal striker was instrumental in Vargas' goal to make it 2-0. He dribbled past the goalkeeper and a defender but his shot was blocked by a Cameroon player. Vargas easily scored the rebound.

Vidal was deployed high in midfield and showed his influence. The Bayern midfielder opened the scoring after positioning and heading in from close range. FIFA voted Vidal the best player of the match.

According to VNE