Davinson Sanchez with the best piece of defending you’re likely to see at the World Cup.
Spurs centre-back Davinson Sanchez pulled off the tackle of the World Cup so far in Colombia’s final group game against Senegal, preventing what would have been a near certain goal from Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in the process.
The incident took place in the 16th minute of the game and originally saw the referee award a penalty immediately to the African side.
RTÉ commentator Jim Beglin wasn’t immediately bowled over by the Colombian defender’s last ditch heroics. After the referee pointed to the spot, the Waterford man bemoaned Sanchez’ form in the tournament to date, claiming he’s been a bit all over the shop.
However, after protests from the Senegal team and a word in his ear from the VAR officials, the referee walked off the pitch, consulted VAR and swiftly reversed his decision to the correct one.
Just as the referee reversed his decision, Beglin rowed back on his convictions on the 22-year-old.
“I have to say it was brilliant… It was last ditch, it had to be exact and he pulled it off,” he said.
Indeed it was, and Beglin must regret speaking too soon on the best tackle of the competition so far.
Davinson Sanchez challenge on Sadio Mane. The ref pointed to the spot but changed his mind after watching replay, which showed Sanchez get the ball first.#RTEsoccer
Updates: https://t.co/OEvdsSCaNv pic.twitter.com/HqBi2blGll
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2018
To be fair to the ref, it originally looked like a penalty to almost everyone watching, only for the slow-motion replay to showcase exactly how good a tackle it was.
It was made all the more impressive by the fact that the 22-year-old was on the wrong side of Mane as he ran through on goal, and was forced to use his right heel to nudge the ball away from the forward.
The tackle understandably impressed plenty of the watching public, including former Spurs striker and BBC host Gary Lineker.
Well done VAR and the referee again. Correct decision to change. Not a penalty, in fact it was a superb tackle from Davinson Sanchez.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheMainMane2206/status/1012342112359153670
Colombia have Davinson Sanchez to thank if they go through today.
Two immense recovery tackles that will be hard to beat this #WorldCup#COL #SEN— PG (@Puneetg97) June 28, 2018
VAR, if used properly can change football for the better. That Davinson Sanchez tackle on Mané seemed 100% like a penalty. Replay showed he got the the ball first 💯.
— Claude (@Torpedoe1) June 28, 2018
Davinson Sanchez is 22-years-old. Mad.
— Daily Hotspur (@Daily_Hotspur) June 28, 2018
