Iheanacho scores English football's first VAR goal
Kelechi Iheanacho completed a brace in Leicester City's 2-0 FA Cup win over Fleetwood Town thanks to a VAR call — an English football first.
Published : Jan 17, 2018 10:42 IST
Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho became the first player in English football to have a goal awarded by the video assistant referee (VAR) system on Tuesday.
The much-debated technology, which has been tested at FIFA events and used in Serie A and the Bundesliga this season, made its English debut through trials in the FA Cup and EFL Cup semifinals this month.
Former Manchester City youngster Iheanacho had already given Leicester the lead in its third-round replay against League One Fleetwood Town and had a second disallowed for offside.
The Nigeria international then latched on to a Riyad Mahrez pass and finished, only to see his celebrations curtailed by the official's flag once more.
However, a review of the goal via VAR clearly showed Iheanacho was onside when Mahrez played him in — ensuring Leicester was 2-0 up and on the way into round four, while its 21-year-old forward will be the answer to a trivia question for years to come.