Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis 

#4 VAR controversy again, questionable officiating decisions

VAR again made the headlines after two questionable officiating decisions in this semi-final

Love it or hate it, VAR seems to be an ever-present debate and in games of this magnitude on the international stage, there's no respite either. There were two questionable officiating decisions that could and would have changed the complexion of this game entirely, if they were given the other way. One of them certainly should have been, while the other is less clear-cut.

Kevin Mbabu's sliding challenge to dispossess Ronaldo as he edged closer towards the box was perfectly timed and replays showed the 24-year-old won the ball in the process. Despite this, the referee whistled for a free-kick.

Ronaldo scored from the resulting set-piece, breaking the deadlock after 25 minutes. There was no VAR check, but there should have been one from the officials with their screens, telling the referee to hold off before giving a free-kick in a dangerous position there. If play was allowed to continue as normal, Portugal wouldn't have scored when they did.

The second isn't as clear-cut, but still a dubious decision nonetheless. Semedo was adjudged to have impeded Zuber as he shaped to shoot in the box and despite a lengthy delay, the referee reviewed the footage pitchside and pointed to the spot. Rodriguez made no mistake from twelve yards to equalize, but should it have been given in the first place?

As replays clearly show, Semedo had eyes solely fixated on the ball but inadvertently tangled with Zuber and impeded the Stuttgart midfielder - who was in front of him - as he shaped to shoot.

Play was originally allowed to continue as the referee gesticulated for Zuber to get up. The fact it took so long to clarify his decision and that Portugal themselves would have had a penalty down the other end just moments later after a goalmouth scramble, meant the whole sequence was messy.

Should that have been a penalty? Probably. But you can see just by the way I'm analyzing these two incidents the plethora of factors that go into the officials and their thought process, often second-guessing themselves. And in a match as prestigious as this one, a small decision here or there can often prove the difference between winning and losing.

That's why it's imperative they get it right and I'd rather they take longer if it meant more clarity and the correct decision every time - something that doesn't yet happen.