The introduction of VAR at the World Cup in 2018 did nothing to dampen debate around crucial decisions, and this year’s tournament in Qatar has been no different. Whether it was Antoine Griezmann’s disallowed late equaliser against Tunisia for France, Argentina’s VAR-awarded penalty after Wojciech Szczęsny appeared to gently brush Lionel Messi’s face with his hand, or the lack of a penalty after England’s Harry Maguire was wrestled to the floor against Iran, VAR’s subjective calls remain a point of contention.
But no decision has sparked more discussion than the award of Japan’s second goal against Spain on Thursday evening, when – to the naked eye – it appeared that the ball had crossed the line and gone out of play. It ended up sealing Japan’s qualification and in effect knockingGermany out of the tournament.
