Inter penalty awarded after five-minute video consultation

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Spal - Milan, Italy - September 10, 2017 Referee Claudio Gavillucci awards a penalty to Inter Milan after a video review as Mauro Icardi prepares to take the kick REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

MILAN (Reuters) - The referee took over five minutes to award Inter Milan a penalty after consulting with the video assistant (VAR) in their 2-0 win over SPAL in Italy's Serie A on Sunday.

Inter midfielder Joao Mario went down on the edge of the penalty area under a challenge from Francesco Vicari in the 22nd minute and referee Claudio Gavillucci quickly called for the video replay.

After a lengthy consultation, the official finally awarded a penalty and Inter captain Mauro Icardi sent Alfred Gomis the wrong way for his fifth goal in three games, officially recorded as being scored in the 27th minute.

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Spal - Milan, Italy - September 10, 2017 Referee Claudio Gavillucci awards a penalty to Inter Milan after a video review as Mauro Icardi prepares to take the kick REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Ivan Perisic completed Inter's win with a thumping volley in the 87th minute to leave his side with nine points from their opening three games and hand SPAL a first defeat of the season.

In between, Milan Skriniar crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar after spotting Gomis off his line.

SPAL, who have returned to the top flight after a 49-year absence, were far from outclassed and created several dangerous situations.

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Spal - Milan, Italy - September 10, 2017 Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi scores their first goal from a penalty REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Serie A is one of several national leagues trialling the VAR system before soccer's rule-making body IFAB decides whether to permit their use on a permanent basis.

FIFA are hoping to use VARs at next year's World Cup.

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Spal - Milan, Italy - September 10, 2017 Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Spal - Milan, Italy - September 10, 2017 Spal fans REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Spal - Milan, Italy - September 10, 2017 Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi shoots at goal REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Spal - Milan, Italy - September 10, 2017 Inter Milan's Roberto Gagliardini shoots at goal REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Soccer Football - Serie A - Inter Milan v Spal - Milan, Italy - September 10, 2017 Spal's Manuel Lazzari in action with Inter Milan's Joao Mario REUTERS/Massimo Pinca