Norway’s Dream Start with a ‘Cheap VAR’ in Chile
In a tournament where access to high-end technology can be scarce, Norway’s U20 team showed how a cost-efficient video review system can influence outcomes on the field. The Norwegian side leaned on what has been dubbed a “cheap VAR” approach—the Football Video Support (FVS) system—to request a screens check on a key early decision, helping pave the way to a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in Talca, Chile.
What is FVS and how does it work?
FVS, short for Football Video Support, is described by FIFA as a more affordable alternative to traditional VAR. Under the format used in this tournament, teams are granted limited opportunities to challenge on-field rulings. Each match allows coaches to lodge a couple of review requests, which are then assessed by a screens-based check on the bench. If the evidence supports it, the referee can alter the on-field decision after the video review. This setup makes video-assisted adjudication feasible in tournaments with tighter budgets and staffing.
The moment that changed the game
Early in the match, Norway was awarded a penalty after just eight minutes. Rasmus Holten, a 20-year-old defender from Sogndal (owned by Brann), converted with composure to give Norway the lead. The goal stood, and the Scots-like pressure continued as Norway looked to control the match. Yet the incident also highlighted how the bench could influence proceedings beyond the moment of play—the moment the coach, Bjørn Johansen, decided to file a review request after noticing players react to what looked like a potential handball in the build-up for a Nigerian play.
Two coaches, two reviews, two outcomes
Johansen, fondly nicknamed “Bummen” from his Tromsø days, did not rely on chance. As several Norwegian players criticized the on-field call when the ball touched the arm of Nigerian defender Daniel Bameyi, the bench invoked a screens check. The review produced the desired result for Norway, with the referee explaining the decision over the stadium PA system and subsequently awarding the spot kick—the penalty was confirmed and celebrated by the Norwegian camp.
In contrast, Nigeria’s bench also tried to press the review system, using its two allotted challenges for two handball situations late in the game. In both cases, the screens check did not overturn the referee’s original calls, with the decisive conclusions remaining as non-penalties. The contrasting outcomes underscored the evolving role of video review in youth football and how it can shape a game’s momentum in real time.
What this means for U20 World Cup tactics and tech adoption
FIFA’s framing of FVS as a cost-effective alternative to VAR has practical implications. For nations operating with tighter budgets, this model demonstrates that video-assisted decisions can be made reliably without the heavy investment associated with full VAR systems. It also mirrors procedures seen in other American leagues, where coaches have a limited, rule-based avenue to seek a review, adding a new strategic layer to match management at the youth level.
Norway’s victory, a sign of things to come
Norway’s 1-0 win over Nigeria was not just about a single penalty. It was about the effective use of technology as a coaching tool and a test case for how the U20 game can benefit from structured, affordable video assistance. The result gives Norway three valuable points and confidence as they navigate a group that promises competitive tests throughout the tournament.
Looking ahead
As U20 teams continue to balance the costs of modernizing refereeing with the realities of development programs, FVS could become a template for how to integrate video reviews without breaking budgets. For the Norwegian squad, the blend of disciplined defense, a timely penalty, and judicious use of the review system could set a tone for this campaign and beyond.
