Japan 2 Spain 1
Qatar December 2, 2022: Germany were at the centre of a huge Var row after they were knocked out of the World Cup by a highly controversial Japanese goal.
Japan’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Spain condemned the Germans to an embarrassing early exit from Group E, which was branded an "absolute catastrophe" by veteran striker Thomas Muller.
But the decision to allow Japan’s winner to stand thrust Var back into the spotlight as a debate raged on Thursday night over whether the ball had gone out of play before Kaoru Mitoma crossed for Ao Tanaka to score six minutes after the restart.
Aerial footage appeared to show little more than a cigarette paper between the ball and byline while from other angles the ball looked out but, after a lengthy review by the Mexico Var Fernando Guerrero, the goal was given to widespread astonishment in the Khalifa International Stadium. Germany – who came from 2-1 down to beat Costa Rica 4-2 – would have progressed on goal difference at Japan’s expense had the goal been disallowed.
“From my angle I think the ball was clearly half out but more than that I could not see because of the speed but I was concentrating on scoring,” Tanaka said. “But there was always a possibility it was out so if it was out and not a goal I would not have been disappointed. But in the end it was a goal so that was great.”
ifa were tightlipped about the decision on Thursday night but it is understood that the decision was not assisted by technology since the goal decision system is only operational between the posts and nor was the semi automated technology in the ball of any use in that instance. Sources said the decision had come down to the judgement of Guerrero and his assistants, who advised the referee Victor Gomes the goal should stand.
"I thought the images must be wrong or fabricated,” Luis Enrique, the Spain coach, said. “I saw an image and said, 'That picture can’t be true'. I have nothing else to say. I have full respect [for the officials]. I knew something was going on because Var was taking so long. But we went into collapse mood."
Hajime Moriyasu, the Japan coach, said: “We think that our intent materialised as a goal. Whether the ball was out or not there is great technology nowadays for big football and if it was really out it would have been a goal kick but the judgement of the referee is it was in and we respected that. We were able to accept either way and in the end it was decided it was in.”
"I felt it should never have been a goal, based on the images that Var were likely to have seen." former referee Keith Hackett told Telegraph Sport. “Var has yet again taken centre stage in a match when it should be the skill set of the players.”
In the ITV studio, Graeme Souness said: "There's 80 million Germans going mad, waiting for a picture that shows that ball didn't go out of play."
'Why would Fifa not allow the host broadcaster to show Var footage?'
His fellow pundit Gary Neville later tweeted: "Got no doubt that Var have seen the conclusive angle/evidence that we haven’t but why would Fifa not allow the host broadcaster to show Var footage? In the PL [Premier League] we see it as it happens and have access to the pictures. Makes no sense and doesn’t help with transparency."
Germany have now failed to progress from the group stages in successive World Cups, having not previously fallen at the first hurdle since 1938.
Muller said their exit was “unbelievably bitter”, while head coach Hansi Flick called for an overhaul of their lauded academy system.
“We need to do things differently," said Flick. "We have always been able to defend well [in the past] and these are the things we need [now]. We need the basics.”
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