Brazil's forward Neymar sits on the ground during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 22, 2018.

Twittersphere erupts with joy as VAR overturns Neymar penalty

8 years ago

GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP / Getty

Neymar couldn't fool the Video Assistant Referee.

Brazil's No. 10 tried and failed to earn a penalty late in Friday's match against Costa Rica. Match official Bjorn Kuipers at first was sold by Neymar's pantomime in the box, adjudging defender Giancarlo Gonzalez had hauled down the 26-year-old, but eventually reversed his decision with help from VAR.

Twitter - a divisive place in every avenue of life - was relieved to see justice served.

Best use of VAR, EVER
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) June 22, 2018

I’m not a fan of VAR but that’s the greatest thing VAR has ever done. Worrying that the referee bought Neymar’s fall in the first place though.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) June 22, 2018

Neymar the Redeemer #Bra #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/a0bctCpkGW
— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) June 22, 2018

The Russian commentary on that piece of VAR was great. "Niet! Niet! Niet!" Proper disbelief that didn't need much translation.
— Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) June 22, 2018

*deletes every anti-VAR tweet we’ve ever done* well, looks like VAR is the real MVP this summer
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) June 22, 2018

"It would have been so sad had this game been decided by a dive - by Neymar!" - @PatNevin

📻📲 https://t.co/RiPIWQpnM3 #bbcworldcup #BRACRC pic.twitter.com/SFb9MBxBEq
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) June 22, 2018

Nice to see VAR being used for a purpose just as important as giving a penalty missed -- taking away one that wasn't deserved. Well done, M. Kuipers.
— Sam Borden (@SamBorden) June 22, 2018

However, Brazil found goals through Philippe Coutinho and Neymar in second-half stoppage time to secure a first win at the 2018 World Cup.