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.
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As per the Mirror, FIFA have now explained the decision - despite one camera angle in particular appearing to show the ball out of play. A new aerial view suggests that the ball might well have stayed in play by a matter of millimetres as confusion over the decision raged.
The ruling is that the entire ball has to be out of play, but with FIFA nor VAR showing any strong evidence that it was indeed kept in legally, the incident has caused mass confusion and controversy.
Germany did their job against Costa Rica, winning 4-2 on the night, with Chelsea's Kai Havertz scoring twice and taking home the Player of the Match award. But it wasn't enough, as both Japan and Spain qualified for the last 16.
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