Alex Scott joked the first VAR announcement at the Women’s World Cup was ‘like The Hunger Games’.
The tournament made history on Thursday as the referee announced her decision to the crowd inside the stadium.
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FIFA approved proposals for the competition in New Zealand and Australia to allow referees to announce the calls.
In the final stages of the match, Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen appeared to handle the ball, with a penalty awarded after referee Yoshimi Yamashita was sent to the review booth.
Referee Yamashita could be heard on her microphone, saying: “After an on-field review, the decision is: penalty,” as cheers from the crowd followed.
Pundit Alex Scott, however, admitted she saw the funny side and compared it to the popular dystopian book and film series The Hunger Games.
“I couldn’t help but laugh,” the former Arsenal and England defender said on the BBC.
“I felt like I was in the Hunger Games.”
Ian Wright was in the stands for the match too and loved it.
“I like the way the referee done that,” the excitable Arsenal legend said in a video on Twitter.
And while VAR made history, it was also a historic moment for co-hosts New Zealand who defied the odds to beat Norway 1-0.
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The Football Ferns opened their World Cup account in stunning style at Eden Park, winning on the global stage for the very first time.
Hannah Wilkinson swept home Jacqui Hand’s cross on 48 minutes, and New Zealand hung on for a famous win over the 1995 World Cup winners.
