PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — France benefited from the first decisive use of goal-line technology at the World Cup on Sunday when the team was awarded a goal in its match against Honduras, which the French went on to win 3-0.
With France leading 1-0, Karim Benzema’s shot hit the far post and rebounded to Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares, who fumbled the ball into the goal.
The seven video cameras trained on the goal established that the ball had briefly crossed the line by a few inches, alerting the referee on his watch with a flashing “GOAL,” before the ball was pushed out again by Valladares.
An own goal against Valladares was awarded, making the score 2-0 to France in the 48th minute.
But there was some confusion seconds before when the system showed replays of Benzema’s shot hitting the post with the verdict “NO GOAL” before continuing to show the actual goal. The change infuriated the Honduras players, some of whom remonstrated with referee Sandro Ricci, while Honduras coach Luis Suarez bickered with France coach Didier Deschamps. At the end of the match, they hugged and made up.
The technology is being used for the first time at a major international football tournament.
FIFA opted for GoalControl last year as its goal-line technology system for the Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The German camera-based, ball-tracking system was the last of four contenders to win a FIFA contract.
It’s estimated that GoalControl costs about $260,000 per stadium to install, and $3,900 per match to operate.
