Griezmann scores first ever World Cup penalty by VAR

France striker Antoine Griezmann put his country 1-0 up in their World Cup opener against Australia early in the second half on Saturday after a penalty was awarded by the Video Assistant Referee system for the first-ever time.

Streaming towards goal, Griezmann was brought down by a sliding tackle from Socceroos defender Josh Risdon in the 57th minute but referee Andres Cunha initially thought it was a fair tackle at Kazan Arena.

The Uruguayan official was summoned to review the footage, however, and duly awarded the spot kick to Griezmann who thumped the ball into the right corner past Australia keeper Mat Ryan.

• Coverage: FIFA World Cup 2018

Rejoicing France fans were then stunned into silence minutes later when Samuel Umtiti was penalised for handball in the area on the hour mark.

Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak sent his French counterpart Hugo Lloris the wrong way to give Australia hopes of forcing a draw but Pogba grabbed the winner in the 81st minute.

Even that goal might not have counted in the days before technology was brought into the game with Pogba's shot looping off the shin of Aziz Behich, hitting the crossbar and bouncing down inside the goal before coming back out.

Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha checked the goal-line monitor on his watch and awarded the goal as Australia keeper Mat Ryan stood holding the ball in his hands.