FIFA insists Japan's second goal in their shock World Cup victory over Spain was legitimate “on the evidence available”, and added some of the images shared online were “misleading”.
Ao Tanaka bundled home from close range to give Japan a 2-1 lead, but the goal was only given following a lengthy VAR review after it appeared the ball had gone out of play before Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma cut it back from the byline.
The goal sparked huge debate among television pundits and online, with ITV pundit Graeme Souness demanding FIFA share the images which had been used to help make the decision.
On Friday afternoon the game's global governing body published two posts on its official Twitter account by way of clarification.
“Japan's second goal in their 2-1 win over Spain was checked by VAR to determine if the ball had gone out of play,” the first read.
“The video match officials used the goal line camera images to check if the ball was still partially on the line or not.”
A second post added: “Other cameras may offer misleading images but on the evidence available, the whole of the ball was not out of play.”
The second post showed how a ball could appear to be wholly behind the line and therefore out of play from one angle, but when viewed from above part of the ball was still hanging over the line.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said: “If it was really out it would have been a goal kick, but the judgement of the referee was it was in.
“We respected it but we were willing to respect either way. The final judgement was it was in.”
His Spain counterpart, Luis Enrique, suggested some sort of “manipulation” had occurred, adding: “I felt that something fishy was going on when the VAR took as much time as it did to decide… I have nothing to say.”
Japan's victory ensured they finished top of Group E, having caused another huge upset in their opening game by beating Germany.
Spain held on to second spot on goal difference despite Germany's 4-2 win over Costa Rica.
limengoeng
1
After the game Japan found this on the sky.
Vukdlmostu
1
Whole ball must be out! Great call by VAR!
lopbclrsuy
0
goallllllll,😀😀😀😀😅😅😅😅 sorrow
hemchon
1
most players don't put the ball on the corner line but outside the line with the ball shadowing the line when they take a corner..same thing goes here..so var is right
true that's what they don't know 😂 so they keep on saying it's out 😂
hemchon
2
some people didn't know that the ball shape is round not square or box , and probably didn't know how VAR work's so they think that's out 😂
wuacmprtuy
0
As usual FIFA behaving like the mafia they are - greed, corruption & biased.
nehabkpsty
1
no goal
Řæman
0
Binod
DhendupDargye
0
if you are a normal person, that ball was out completely, only that nowadays people they like betting.
some how i saw the fool's comments
Nitackmnou
0
Why will they want Argentina to win they don’t even want South America teams to win it and if they want any South America team to win it, it as to be Brazil
Ok sir
Z_i_k_k_0
0
FIFA are doing everything possible to eliminate Spain and other big country in other for Argentina to win this World Cup. Well we shall see
Why will they want Argentina to win they don’t even want South America teams to win it and if they want any South America team to win it, it as to be Brazil
26133839(deleted)
1
one of the brilliant ones
Tehakmnps
1
Anyways, you can't simply beat Japan with Japan. 😊😊😊
hooabdei
3
that's foolish var, now for example, if that ball was on goal line how can he judge,
Brendanobi
6
when Germany was busy challenging FIFA , what do they expect. next time the should concentrate on football and keep there gay lifestyle at home
WinningSide
1
This VAR should be brought to EPL.
hooabdei
2
if you are a normal person, that ball was out completely, only that nowadays people they like betting.
JohnB123
4
most players don't put the ball on the corner line but outside the line with the ball shadowing the line when they take a corner..same thing goes here..so var is right
Kiadlnsu
0
77
laminabuta
1
I am a Madrid fan, but truth be told, part of the mid-circumference of the ball was on the goal line. You are just being biased and subjective in your opinions. Making unnecessary noise. The officials and VAR made a better decision on that ball and some of you are blindly accusing FIFA.
alemayehux2021
0
Fucking Blinded Var
sorindejerry
0
when i see the ball cross the line, I said they will reverse the goal, but the outcome is so surprising
dimapstyz
4
FIFA and the all governing board of football didn't just want Germany to progress on to the next stage of the tournament....the ball was surely out of play..
Pindeotu
2
Cry more those who think it was out, then maybe FIFA will reconsider their decision when you start to shade tears of blood.
Jeevan14ry
0
Those who are thinking it's out then go and take a look from the top angle on replays or get your eyes checked.
Nitackmnou
2
FIFA are doing everything possible to eliminate Spain and other big country in other for Argentina to win this World Cup. Well we shall see
Vowcilt
3
liers...they dont want spain to progress the ball was crearly out
zahbeoprz
1
shut up that was goal don't be foolish watch some replay. from upper camera angle
Jaqen_Haguar
2
Var considers the spherical shape of the ball.. not the part touches the ground.. if var is confident, at least some part of the ball might be on the line.. any way bad luck for Germany 😅
Layeilnouy
1
Stupid officials and Var comes to destroy some decisions in football
Mewacdopy
2
past is past 😂😂😂😂😂
Amar_Cr7
0
Lol look at that ball and the line 🤣🤣🤣 Useless officials and their cameras
cidabdinsu
3
Lol look at that ball and the line 🤣🤣🤣 Useless officials and their cameras
Joaeimty
0
this was a goal kicks but why fifa
Your precious barca have won games that shouldn’t have one with the help of var every team has just get over it and move on.
Jehailoruz
3
this was a goal kicks but why fifa
meybciptz
2
If that's not out then what if it was on Goal will they say Goal or no Goal
zeeabdeksz
0
useless var they are just after money nothing special about dem!
Captain5311
2
VAR was introduced in football just to control games and nothing more