World Cup 2018: Paul Pogba scores France’s late winner against Australia… but just look how close it was to not being over the line
Man United star's heavily deflected shot thundered into the bar before bouncing just over Mat Ryan's goal-line
FRANCE left it late to beat Australia, indebted to a late, heavily-deflected Paul Pogba strike.
The VAR-affected game left Socceroos' fans frustrated... with the Pogba goal just, painfully just, bouncing over the line.
The well-worked France move left Pogba clattering the ball into Aziz Behich and looping over the despairing Mat Ryan in the Aussies' goal.
When the ball reconnected with the ground, it was a mere millimetres over the painted strip, with goal-line technology once again called into action.
The ref's watch was also used during Spain's thrilling 3-3 draw with Portugal after a stunning Isco effort thwacked into the bar and bounced on the goal-line.
Back in Saturday's game, France can consider themselves a little lucky - becoming the first team to be on the receiving end of a VAR penalty in World Cup history.
Didier Deschamps' men took the lead in the second-half after Antoine Griezmann was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Josh Ridson.
The men from Down Under were fuming when Uruguayan ref Andres Cunha awarded France their 58th minute penalty.
However, they were back on level terms minutes later following Samuel Umtiti’s moment of madness.
Adrian Mooy’s probing free-kick into the box was inexplicably punched away by the Barca man, with Mile Jedinak equalising prior to Pogba's late clincher.