Qatar 2022: Why Japan's controversial goal against Germany stood 

Germany were knocked out of the World Cup in agonising circumstances: on goal difference, despite winning their final match, and as a direct result of a controversial strike in a different game.

Let’s break it down. Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 to finish with four points in group E. Had Japan and Spain drawn 1-1, Hansi Flick’s side would have done enough to finish second in the group and progress to the round of 16.

However, that wasn’t the score at the Khalifa International Stadium. Instead, Japan won 2-1 after Ao Tanaka scored the winning goal, with a helping hand from the VAR. It was initially ruled out, after the on-field officials deemed that the ball went out of play in the build-up, but that decision was overruled.

“The referee Victor Gomes initially disallowed Japan’s second goal when his assistant belatedly raised his flag,” Peter Walton, the former Premier League referee, says. “That meant it could only be awarded if the Mexican VAR Fernando Guerrero found clear evidence to prove that the decision was wrong. In those circumstances, if no picture emerges that gives an answer one way or the other then the on-field referee’s verdict is accepted.

“However, an image was found that showed conclusively that the ball had not crossed the byline at the point when Kaoru Mitoma cut it back for Ao Tanaka to find the net. The whole of the ball must have moved beyond the whole of the line for it to be deemed to have left the pitch — and one small part of the ball was hovering over the line, even though the ball was in contact with green grass behind the white line.”

Maya Yoshida, the Japan veteran and former Southampton defender, said the wait for a decision on the goal felt like an age for him and his team-mates: “It was such a long time. Mama Mia! I was praying all of the time and after that we focused on what we needed next. We looked at the clock and there was still such a long time to go.”

Eventually, the decision came and the goal stood – despite replays showing green grass between the ball and the line, the entire sphere had not crossed over.

“I thought the images must be wrong or fabricated,” Luis Enrique, the Spain coach, said. “I saw an image and said, ‘That picture can’t be true.’ I have nothing else to say. I have full respect [for the officials]. I knew something was going on because VAR was taking so long, but we went into collapse mood.”

Walton says: “Goalline technology is in place at the World Cup but the chip in the ball that activates an alarm in the referee’s watch if it enters the goal does not do so if the ball merely crosses the byline. That leaves the VAR to rely on cameras to make the decision.

“There were 42 cameras around the pitch to assist the VAR, some of which were facing along the goalline for the purpose of helping with any goal check. Fortunately, one of those latter cameras was able to give an answer.”

What drew the ire of ITV’s pundits was not the decision that was made, but the lack of transparency, with broadcasters afforded limited access to the VAR’s decision-making process. “In the Premier League we see all the VAR cameras, here we don’t,” Gary Neville said.

Graeme Souness added: “There are 80 million Germans right now going mad, waiting for a picture that shows that ball didn’t go out of play. Why would you create confusion and not want to clear it up immediately?

“Why are Fifa not showing us something that is so controversial? Why aren’t they showing it to us? Clear it up for us, please.”

Walton says: “I was told that a screen at the stadium showed the relevant picture briefly, but it was very unsatisfactory that broadcasters were not given access to it, or even given an explanation as to the thought process that arrived at the decision to award a goal.

“VAR needs its reputation to be improved and Fifa have missed a trick by failing to offer proper communications over decisions at this World Cup.”