Enner Valencia's opening goal against Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was rightfully ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee, according to ESPN's Dale Johnson.
The former Everton and West Ham forward thought he had handed Ecuador the dream start to their first World Cup campaign in eight years when he was well-positioned to nod the ball into an empty goal after a blunder from Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb.
However, his joy was shortlived as a review from those in control of the VAR alerted on-field official Daniele Orsato to a possible offside infringement from one of the Ecuadorian's team-mates earlier in the passage of play.
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While initial replays seemed to confuse everybody watching along, none more so than BBC commentator Dion Dublin, Johnson confirmed that the first major on-field decision for FIFA officials at the finals was in fact a correct one.
The ESPN editor, Johnson, explains that because the ball came off Ecuador defender Felix Torres and was immediately picked up by team-mate Michael Estrada, whose knee was in an offside position, the call was the correct one. This is because Al Sheeb came out to claim the cross, leaving just one defender behind the goalkeeper - which is classed as offside.
Estrada then headed the ball back to Torres, who floated in a delightful cross for Valencia to head home. However, Estrada's involvement is why the goal was disallowed.
That didn't seem to affect Ecuador as they raced into the lead through the one-time Goodison Park striker soon after when they were awarded a penalty. Valencia dusted himself down before coolly slotting past Al Sheeb.
Just 15 minutes later, the 33-year-old grabbed his second of the contest as he connected with Angelo Preciado's cross.
