France beat Australia 2-1 in their opening World Cup match on Saturday after the Video Assistant Referee system was used for the first time in the competition’s history.

French players celebrate after scoring their first goal on a penalty kick during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group C football match between France and Australia at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on June 16, 2018. / AFP PHOTO

Antoine Griezmann had a penalty awarded thanks to VAR and scored before Mile Jedinak equalised for Australia from the spot. Paul Pogba’s 81st minute shot bounced over the line off the crossbar to give France a narrow win.