Fifa World Cup: Controversial Japan VAR decision effectively puts Germany out

Japan were awarded a goal which effectively put Germany out of the tournament. Photo / Sky

Germany has been eliminated from the tournament in the most dramatic 45 minutes of the World Cup.

Seven goals in the second halves of the Japan-Spain and Germany-Costa Rica games had the Group E standings spinning like a turnstile but at the end Japan and Spain survived.

And some believe the Germans have reason to complain about why they’re not moving on.

Japan had barely fired a shot against Spain when Ritsu Doan came to the rescue in the 48th minute of their clash.

The impressive strike, Japan’s first shot on target in the match, levelled the score at 1-1.

But Japan wasn’t done, taking the lead a minute later in controversial circumstances.

After the ball was bundled into the net, the goal looked like being ruled out because it appeared to go out of bounds in the build-up.

But VAR ruled in favour of Japan to secure a 2-1 win and top position in the group.

Many fans believed replays showed the ball going out.

This was very clearly out, across the line. VAR said it was in bounds? I don’t get it. The Japan player passed this for a header goal … idk

That being said I love the grit of Japan. That’s 2 comebacks from down 1-0 vs Spain & Germany

— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) December 1, 2022

Well done to Japan 🇯🇵 but how can it not be out 🤷🏽‍♂️😳

— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) December 1, 2022

Others pointed out that some of the camera angles were deceiving and that VAR made the right call.

According to Fifa’s laws of the game, the ball is only out of play if it is “wholly passed over the goal line or touchline on the ground or in the air”.

Crap angle but look along the line and it would be even more overhanging. So in.

— Eirlys (@__Eirlys__) December 1, 2022

Commentators confused, after watching the first replay, about why the Japan goal stood. A reminder that camera angles can be deceiving.#WorldCup2022 #JPNESP #JPN

— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) December 1, 2022

Costa Rica then pulled off its own double strike.

Trailing 1-0 against Germany, the central Americans scored twice to momentarily put Germany bottom of the group and move ahead of Spain into second spot.

“Germany’s world is falling apart around them,” the commentator said.

But the potential embarrassment of finishing in last place spurred the Germans into action — and saved Spain.

Germany scored three times to take a 4-2 lead and drop Costa Rica from second to third in the group.

The Germans were left needing another Spain goal, which would have dropped Japan from six points to four and back into third, but it didn’t come.

It meant Japan’s controversial VAR decision effectively put the Germans out of the World Cup.