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Even by the standards of the headline-hogging Video Assistant Referee (VAR) it was an extraordinary weekend at the Women’s World Cup.

What began in the shadows of the Alps on Saturday afternoon rumbled through to the north of France on Sunday, sparking anger, confusion and remarkable scenes.

First to a crowded penalty box in Grenoble. With the score 0-0 in the first half, Svenja Huth is standing a few yards from her opponent’s goalkeeper as Germany prepares to take a corner. Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie gives the forward a little push, but the German still remains in the teenager’s eyeline as the ball comes flying into the box.

Eight green-shirted Nigerians are within six yards of goal. The defense should not be breached, but the ball hits the back of the net as Alexandra Popp is given the freedom to head home into the corner.

Cue the use of VAR — as has happened on numerous occasions in almost every match at the Women’s World Cup — cue minutes of delay and cue questions being asked about the ability of referees at a tournament being described as the most important in the history of the women’s game.

Eventually, referee Yoshimi Yamashita deemed Popp’s header a worthy goal, giving Germany a lead it would extend over the 90 minutes, sealing a 3-0 win over the Super Falcons to march towards the quarterfinals.

“I genuinely cannot understand what’s going on in this tournament,” said Casey Stoney, Manchester United women’s manager, who was in Grenoble working as a pundit for the BBC. Once all four weekend matches had been concluded, the former England defender was echoing the thoughts of many.

READ: Germany beats Nigeria to reach quarterfinals

READ: Australia knocked out on penalties in thriller

Popp scores for Germany while teammate Huth is in front of the last defender as the ball is played.

Popp scores for Germany while teammate Huth is in front of the last defender as the ball is played.

Why was there such a brouhaha about Huth positioning herself a few yards from Nigeria’s goalkeeper? Though in an offside position, she was deemed not to be interfering with play. The interpretation of that rule has not gone down well with many commentators — though it is just one ingredient in the bubbling pot that is VAR at this tournament.

“I think it’s poor refereeing,” added Stoney. “My interpretation is that’s offside.”

It was not the first time in this tournament such a goal had been allowed to stand. Last week both Australia’s Sam Kerr and the US’ Carli Lloyd were deemed not to be interfering with play when in offside positions, resulting in crucial goals being given the green light.

READ: Neville ‘ashamed’ of Cameroon reaction at World Cup

‘I’m questioning the ability of the officials’

Stoney was also critical of the use of VAR to decide whether Evelyn Nwabuoku’s foul on Germany’s Lina Magull was a penalty.