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Some images ‘misleading’: Fifa explains VAR decision for Japan's controversial winner

Ao Tanaka’s strike in the 2-1 win over Spain sparked huge controversy.

wcup-japan-spain-soccer Kaoru Mitoma stops the ball from fully crossing the line as he sets up Japan's winning goal. Petr David Josek Petr David Josek

FIFA INSISTS JAPAN’S second goal in their shock World Cup victory over Spain was legitimate “on the evidence available”, and added some of the images shared online were “misleading”.

Ao Tanaka bundled home from close range to give Japan a 2-1 lead, but the goal was only given following a lengthy VAR review after it appeared the ball had gone out of play before Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma cut it back from the byline.

The goal sparked huge debate among television pundits and online, with ITV pundit Graeme Souness demanding Fifa share the images which had been used to help make the decision.

On Friday afternoon the game’s global governing body published two posts on its official Twitter account by way of clarification.

“Japan’s second goal in their 2-1 win over Spain was checked by VAR to determine if the ball had gone out of play,” the first read.

“The video match officials used the goal line camera images to check if the ball was still partially on the line or not.”

A second post added: “Other cameras may offer misleading images but on the evidence available, the whole of the ball was not out of play.”

The second post showed how a ball could appear to be wholly behind the line and therefore out of play from one angle, but when viewed from above part of the ball was still hanging over the line.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said: “If it was really out it would have been a goal kick, but the judgement of the referee was it was in.

“We respected it but we were willing to respect either way. The final judgement was it was in.”

His Spain counterpart, Luis Enrique, suggested some sort of “manipulation” had occurred, adding: “I felt that something fishy was going on when the VAR took as much time as it did to decide… I have nothing to say.”

Japan’s victory ensured they finished top of Group E, having caused another huge upset in their opening game by beating Germany.

Spain held on to second spot on goal difference despite Germany’s 4-2 win over Costa Rica.

For the latest news coverage on the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022, see here >

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    Mute Anthony
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    May 19th 2015, 8:16 PM

    Charlie Adam all day long. I thought Mata’s scissors kick was worthy of a nomination though.

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    Mute Jon Walters
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    May 19th 2015, 8:22 PM

    Charlie Austin’s would be in my top 5 and its not even here. That one touch turn and strike was sweet

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    Mute Darragh Martin
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    May 19th 2015, 8:44 PM

    Yeah Charlie Austin’s was a class goal,definitely should be there. Charlie Adam’s for goal of the season though.

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    Mute Jon Walters
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    May 19th 2015, 8:58 PM

    Ya maybe your right but the fact that he always tries it and it’s not off the cuff just makes it less special I feel. Austin’s, for example, was sheer instinct.

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    Mute Unknown
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    May 19th 2015, 8:05 PM

    Search on youtube “Di Maria Manchester United” some of his crosses and assists there are amazing. He fully deserves another chance to prove his worth at United!

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    Mute AARO-SAURUS
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    May 19th 2015, 9:14 PM

    Definitely. His form dipped when he returned from injury. Happens to a lot of players. Even though his form dipped, only cesc has more assists than him. Makes me wonder what might have been had he avoided the injury.

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    Mute Robert O Farrell
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    May 19th 2015, 8:14 PM

    It’s got to be Charlie Adam. Although Phillips is in with a shout. If a top player scored that we’d still be talking about it – you don’t often see 45 yard screamers- it wasn’t a looping shot but a belter from that distance rising all the way.

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    Mute Dan Smith
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    May 19th 2015, 9:13 PM

    If public polls are anything to go by, Giroud will win this poll by a mile :P

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    Mute baz newham
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    May 19th 2015, 9:59 PM

    Lads Matty Philips was over 40 yards out!! No contest.

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    Mute Ross Ryan
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    May 19th 2015, 11:25 PM

    Thought longs goal against villa would have been in the top 10

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    Mute Barry Smyth
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    May 19th 2015, 11:17 PM

    Love Zamora’s one. Outside of the boot, quality

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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    May 19th 2015, 10:27 PM

    Schurrle overhead ? Hard to do it at the best of times but he had to set this one up himself by taking it on the chest first . That would be my choice

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    Mute lee
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    May 19th 2015, 8:18 PM

    Fabregas vs Burnley should atleast be nominated surely??

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