FIFA World Cup 2022: Controversial goal helps Japan qualify for knockouts, internet divided over VAR (WATCH)
Japan's Kaoru Mitoma came sliding and kicked the ball across for Ao Tanaka to put it into the net and give Japan a decisive lead.
New Delhi: A controversial goal helped Japan beat the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain and keep their chances of entering the knockout stage alive. While Spain had a dominating start, Japan equalised and got a second goal after a long VAR check. The goal became a decider for the qualification as both Japan and Spain qualified ahead, leaving Germany behind.
Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma came sliding and kicked the ball across for Ao Tanaka to put it into the net and give Japan a decisive lead. However, the ball seemed to be out of play after crossing the field line. It was followed by a long VAR check and the match officials gave the decision in Japan’s favour.
Meanwhile, the internet is divided over the goal. Japan won the game and qualified for the round of 16, while Spain went ahead by having a better goal margin than Germany, so the German fans are surely not happy with the result.
Ok, who bet Japan to win the group? And who bribed the VAR officials to call this a goal? #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/kqFuR1CAvC
— NY Amunti (@amunti) December 1, 2022
VAR awarding Japan that goal#SpainVsJapan #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/NziWn1aByo
— KIVAL (@KivalK5201) December 1, 2022
How was that a goal ? #WorldCup #Japan ??? pic.twitter.com/rE9rmGdjsz
— Nicholas (@Nickyboy1872) December 1, 2022
From jerseys to goals, there is a ‘Blue Lock’ reference everywhere.
Operation Blue Lock is REAL. BTW Japan vs Spain goals were nearly identical? pic.twitter.com/EMtMuOZqNC
— Connor (@UK_Connorr) December 1, 2022
Sports journalist James defended it with a video illustration.
Commentators confused, after watching the first replay, about why the Japan goal stood. A reminder that camera angles can be deceiving.#WorldCup2022 #JPNESP #JPN pic.twitter.com/Ew12D8SzwT
— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) December 1, 2022
For all those saying Japan’s goal was out… pic.twitter.com/oqDildOvGI
— Erfan / عرفان (@Eri1806) December 1, 2022
That Japan goal is not controversial.
The whole of the ball does ??? cross the line.
The ???? of the ball is not ??? of the ball. The base of the ball ?? out, the ????? of the ball ???’?.
It’s marginal, but it’s correct ✅ pic.twitter.com/2vfu42rOwm
— Matchday365 (@Matchday365) December 1, 2022
And the celebrations begin!
The streets of Shibuya after Japan beat Spain,what a amazing goal!#FIFAWorldCup2022 #JapanvsSpain #japen #shibuya pic.twitter.com/Z6E1qKlVhT
— Cevo (@setom1987) December 1, 2022
Cant wait for the Germans to moan about the Japan goal… pic.twitter.com/DQQKbHLdeC
— Charlie Rew (@chazzarew) December 1, 2022
In the game, Spain was the more dominant team based on the number of shots, passes and ball possession, but the scoreline showed a different picture. Alvaro Morata gave a good start to the Spanish team with a header to score a goal in the 11th minute of the game. In the second half, Ritsu Doan took a powerful shot from the edge of the box to score a goal in the top right corner. What followed was the controversial goal by Mitoma and Tanaka.
On the other hand, Germany won 4-2 against Costa Rica but still failed to qualify ahead. Japan will now face Croatia in the round of 16 while Spain will play Morocco.