LaLiga: VAR changes decisions for first time in Sevilla win at Rayo
The video assistant referee system had its first decision-changing involvement in LaLiga as Sevilla thumped Rayo Vallecano 4-1 on Sunday.
All the signs are that the 2018/19 LaLiga season will particularly be remembered for the introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR) system, designed to help the match officials and correct any 'clear and obvious' errors that they make.
And, for the first time ever in top-flight Spanish league football, it did just that - not once, but twice - in Sevilla's 4-1 win at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
VAR allows André Silva to seal LaLiga debut hat-trick for Sevilla
VAR's first decision-changing involvement came in the 78th minute at Vallecas, when referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz deemed that Sevilla striker André Silva had fired in from close range after receiving the ball in an offside position.
However, the goal - which put the Andalusians 4-0 ahead and saw Silva complete a hat-trick on his league debut - was reinstated after replays showed that Rayo's Luis Advíncula had been playing his fellow debutant onside.
Turns Rayo Vallecano free-kick into penalty soon after
Five minutes later, the video assistants stepped in again after Mateu Lahoz had awarded the hosts a free-kick on the edge of the area, despite Adrián Embarba being fouled just inside the 18-yard box.
With the referee's decision rectified, Embarba converted from the spot to earn Los Franjirrojos a late consolation.