This is one of the highlights of this crazy Thursday night of this World Cup.
We dispute the beginning of the second period between Japan and Spain, and the Japanese have just equalized.
On a new attack, the Asians sow trouble in the Spanish defense.
A pass that flies in front of Unai Simon's goal, Kaoru Mitoma who tears up to put the ball back in the center and Ao Tanaka (2-1, 51st) who closes the deal.
The Japanese take control of the meeting and the first place of the group.
Despite the very strong Iberian technical domination, the score remained there and sent Japan to the round of 16 against Croatia.
At 1-1, Spain would have finished top of the group and Germany would have taken second place in goal average thanks to their victory (4-2) over Costa Rica in parallel.
A potential scenario that very quickly led to questioning the validity of the second Japanese goal.
[🎞️VIDEO] 🏆 #FIFAWorldCup
🇯🇵🇪🇸 Sᴄᴇ́ɴᴀʀɪᴏ ɪɴᴄʀᴏʏᴀʙʟᴇ!
Japan take the lead against Spain!!
📏 The ball was a few millimeters from the exit, but the goal is still validated by the VAR!
📺✅#JAPESP #beINFWC2022 https://t.co/IRqthwzSzv
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) December 1, 2022
Because on certain angles of view, it seems very clear that the ball seems to have completely gone out of bounds, which would make the goal invalid.
What the German daily "Bild" complains about this Friday morning, drawing a parallel between this decision and that of the 1966 final against England at Wembley (4-2, ap) where the English had taken the advantage over the RFA via a goal from Geoffrey Hurst which did not seem to have crossed the line.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group E - Japan v Spain - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 1, 2022 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma in the action before Ao Tanaka scored their second goal REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
But the referee of the meeting, Victor Gomes, nevertheless had the assistance of the Var to validate this achievement of Japan.
A decision which, on closer inspection, nevertheless seems justified.
From another angle, it looks like a very small part of the ball is still on the boundary line.
Ahí se ve claramente.
pic.twitter.com/DwmI0pGwrk
— Gaston Goity (@iamgastongoity) December 1, 2022
On the subject, the rules of football are clear.
The texts specify that the ball is out of play when "it has entirely crossed the goal line or the sideline, on the ground or in the air".
There is therefore no need, contrary to what can often be heard, for the ball to still touch the line.
Internet users then had fun showing how much perspective could deceive us in this kind of situation.
Example here with a balloon and a simple sheet of paper.
All this will not console the Germans, but at least helps to understand why this goal could be awarded to the Japanese.
Comparto otra vez este video!!!!!
Todo es perspectiva, por ello solo se podrá absolver esa duda con chip en el balón ⚽ y tecnología de línea de gol pic.twitter.com/Vn2it1cpgs
— Coki Gonzales - Oficial (@CokigonzalesO) September 27, 2019