U-20 World Cup: innovative

At the U-20 World Cup in Chile, FIFA launched a new phase of technological testing for the Football Video Support (FVS) system, which introduces the so-called "green card" for reviewing plays.

The mechanism, which aims to streamline matches and reduce costs related to VAR, gives coaches the power to request two reviews per match, with an additional one in the event of extra time. These can only be requested for goal-scoring actions, penalties, direct expulsions, or identity errors.

To do so, the coach shows the card to the fourth official, and the head referee consults a monitor on the touchline before confirming or modifying his decision.

The first use of the FVS occurred in the match between South Korea and Ukraine, in the opening match of the tournament.

South Korean coach Lee Chang-Won appealed for a penalty, but referee Keylor Herrera upheld his original decision. The Ukrainian coach later requested a review of South Korea's 2-1 goal for an alleged offside, and the goal was disallowed, maintaining his two opportunities to appeal.

The green card had already been tested at the U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia, as well as at the Blue Stars Youth Cup.

According to Pierluigi Collina, president of the FIFA Referees Committee, "It is essential that referees have the opportunity to participate in tournaments with the stars of the future and that we can conduct further testing of the FVS, which has been successful to date."

Its development represents a further step in technological evolution following the adoption of VAR, which began to be used in 2017 in leagues such as MLS and the A-League, and which debuted in international tournaments at the Confederations Cup that year.

FIFA is keeping the FVS in its experimental phase, with the intention of offering a more flexible and accessible alternative to the current video refereeing model.

Group C, which includes Mexico, became even tighter after Morocco defeated Spain 2-0 yesterday.

The African team surprised with almost consecutive goals (54' and 58') to which the Iberian team could not react.

This match led to the use of the green card for the second time in the championship. Morocco's coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, used it to challenge a penalty awarded to Spain, which the referee ultimately dismissed.

In another Group D match, runners-up Italy began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Australia, with a penalty scored by their captain, midfielder Mattia Mannini.

The Italians had a few chances to extend their lead, the clearest coming from a shot by defender Christian Corradi, but the Australian goalkeeper was alert to prevent it.

Ultimately, Argentina, a powerhouse in its division and the tournament's biggest winner with six victories, suffered more than expected from playing with a man down from the 10th minute, but still prevailed 3-1 over Cuba.

A double from striker Alejo Sarco (3' and 41') gave the Albiceleste the initial lead, but the Caribbean team closed the gap with a goal from Karel Pérez before halftime.

In the end, Ian Subiabre (90') settled the duel.— EFE