Photographs: Damir Sagolj/Reuters
Goalline technology passed its first World Cup test with flying colours at the FIFA football World Cup on Sunday.
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With France leading 1-0 in Group E thanks to Karim Benzema's penalty just before halftime, the GoalControl system took centre stage three minutes into the second half.
Benzema's shot cannoned off a post, came back across the face of goal before Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares inadvertently nudged the ball towards his own net.
To the naked eye it was almost impossible to tell if it had crossed the line. Adding to the confusion Benzema wheeled away in delight, while Valladares played on trying to convince Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci he had gathered the ball in time.
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Photographs: Damir Sagolj/Reuters
But there was no fooling GoalControl.
The system, which features 14 high-speed cameras located around the pitch, seven focusing on each goalmouth, confirmed to Ricci that the ball had crossed the line and he blew for a goal to put France 2-0 ahead.
Had the technology not been available it is unlikely the referee would have been able to award the goal.
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