A new angle of Ao Tanaka's controversial winner for Japan against Spain on Thursday has shown that the ball might've stayed in play after all. The goal sent the Japanese through as Group E winners, whilst it simultaneously knocked Germany out of the competition.
Spain took the lead on the day through an Alvaro Morata header but Kaoru Mitoma levelled proceedings early on in the second half. Moments later, Japan put the ball in the net for the second time but the goal was initially ruled out as the ball was deemed to have gone out of play.
However, after a lengthy VAR check, officials gave the goal. It was concluded that Kaoru Mitoma had kept the ball in play before Tanaka bundled the ball into the net just 142 seconds after Doan's equaliser.
