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Football London
Football London
Sport
Lewis Pangratiou

'Farcical' - VAR slammed after Argentina given penalty vs Saudi Arabia amid Harry Maguire error

England supporters have slammed VAR's inconsistency after Argentina were awarded a soft penalty in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia. It comes after the Three Lions were denied a blatant spot-kick for a foul on Harry Maguire in their 6-2 win over Iran on Monday.

Iran were given a penalty in injury time for an incident that was less of a penalty than the foul on Maguire. Mehdi Taremi stepped up to hand Iran a late consolation.

Whilst the decision not to give England a penalty didn't influence the result, Three Lions fans are livid with VAR's inconsistency at the tournament so far. That frustration has only grown since Argentina were awarded their penalty on Tuesday. Take a look at some of what's been said on Twitter.

READ MORE: Argentina make Cristian Romero World Cup decision vs Saudi Arabia after Tottenham's injury absence

@MUFC_redarmy99 said: "How can they not give the Maguire one but give the Argentina one? VAR is just still unbelievably consistent."

@amin7oz said: "How did England not get a penalty last evening? Argentina got one for much less than that foul on Maguire."

@jeffm10blue said: "How on earth could VAR award a penalty for Argentina and Iran and miss the blatant foul on Maguire. Beggars belief. No consistency. Shame on those administering the technology."

@penalty_pete said: "How on gods earth can VAR give that Argentina penalty but not even look at the one on Harry Maguire. Farcical."

@wotsthatmoosic said: "And then Argentina get a penalty for something identical to the Maguire incident at around the same time into the game. You can't make this up."

@TheExiledRobin said: "Argentina got a penalty for almost exactly the same offence as Maguire's yesterday."

@HainaultFc said: "Our foul on Maguire wasn't given, yet the Argentina pen was given, that's was very soft also. Inconsistent again."

Lee Dixon also commented on VAR's inconsistency whilst commentating live on ITV for Argentina's clash with Saudi Arabia. The Arsenal legend said: "Obviously wasn't watching last night then with Harry Maguire, and that wasn't given. Very similar incident, all you want is a bit of consistency, eh?"

Dixon arguably makes a valid point, too. There's been several questionable decisions in just a handful of games out in Qatar thus far. Supporters will ultimately have to hope that VAR is used properly for the rest of the competition.

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