Japan's Controversial 2nd Goal Against Spain: Why VAR Allowed It
Japan's 2-1 win over Spain wasn't devoid of controversy. Their second goal has triggered a storm on social media, with many suggesting that VAR was wrong in allowing the goal.
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Group E was dubbed the "Group of Death," with Japan beating both Germany and Spain to qualify for Round 16. Due to a better goal difference, Spain advanced as runners-up, while 2014 champions Germany were eliminated. However, Japan's 2-1 win over Spain wasn't without controversy. Many have argued that VAR was wrong to allow the Germans' second goal, since it led to their elimination.
Ao Tanaka scored the Asian side's first goal in the 51st minute. As the officials checked whether the ball went past the touchline, the goal wasn't given immediately. The officials decided in favour of Japan 2-1 after a lengthy review.
After a VAR check, it was determined that the entire ball had not crossed the touchline. There are however images from the match that have surfaced on social media, suggesting that the entire ball went over the touchline.
Why did VAR rule the decision in Japan's favour?
It has to be understood that even though the ball might have been placed on ground beyond the touchline, it's tangent was inside the permissible limit. Hence, a part of the ball was in-line with the touchline, prompting the officials to call it a legitimate goal.
FIFA claimed that the "curvature of the ball" remained in, hence the ball was not out of play at that moment.
According to IFAB, who set the game's laws, the ball is out when "it has wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air".
The goal turned out to be the one that resulted in Germany's elimination from the tournament. Despite securing a 4-2 win against Costa Rica in a topsy-turvy match, Germany couldn't progress to the Round of 16. Japan, on the other hand, book their spot in the knockouts as winners of Group E.