REVEALED: Japan's controversial goal against Spain was RIGHT to be given as a video released by FIFA conclusively proves the ball did NOT cross the line during the build-up - after pundits and fans were left in disbelief that the goal was given
- Japan stunned Spain on Thursday night to top Group E with an unlikely 2-1 win
- But camera angles appeared to show that their winner should not have stood
- Germany crashed out as a result, with Spain going through as runners-up
- A FIFA video proves the ball did not go out of play in the build-up to the goal
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The footballing world was left in dismay as Japan's controversial goal in their 2-1 win over Spain on Thursday was allowed to stand, despite the ball seemingly going out of play in the build-up.
But a video released by FIFA on Friday afternoon proves the decision for the goal to stand, which came after lengthy consultation by VAR, was the right one.
The incident occurred in the final match of Group E, when Ao Tanaka poked home to give Japan a comeback lead, with the goal in turn sending Germany - who beat Costa Rica 4-2 - crashing out. It would have been group winners Japan who went home had the clash ended a draw, while Spain went through despite defeat.
![Ao Tanaka scored a highly controversial goal as Japan stunned Japan on Thursday evening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/15/65178015-11494209-image-a-3_1669996602715.jpg)
Ao Tanaka scored a highly controversial goal as Japan stunned Japan on Thursday evening
![Japan's Kaoru Mitoma got the assist even though it looked like he overran his dribble](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65151637-11492665-image-a-7_1669932064291.jpg)
Japan's Kaoru Mitoma got the assist even though it looked like he overran his dribble
![But a new video posted by FIFA shows that the Brighton winger did in fact get there in time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/15/65177993-11494209-image-a-2_1669996504832.jpg)
But a new video posted by FIFA shows that the Brighton winger did in fact get there in time
Social media immediately erupted into a frenzy, with England fans in particular reveling in what appeared to be a controversial decision, comparing Japan's winner to Frank Lampard's ghost goal against Germany which ultimately resulted in the Three Lions' last-16 exit at the 2010 World Cup.
But though it appeared that Kaoru Mitoma had not quite kept the ball in before scooping back for Tanaka to prod into an empty net, the official FIFA video now conclusively prove otherwise.
As the video shows, while much of the ball had indeed crossed the line, a fraction of it was still in play - and that's all that was needed for the goal to be given.
Alongside the posted video, FIFA wrote: '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 video match officials used the goal line camera images to check if the ball was still partially on the line or not.
'Other cameras may offer misleading images but on the evidence available, the whole of the ball was not out of play.'
![Japan ended up as unexpected Group E winners, with Spain going through as runners-up](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/08/65165997-11494209-image-a-1_1669969983820.jpg)
Japan ended up as unexpected Group E winners, with Spain going through as runners-up
![The result meanwhile meant Germany were knocked out of the World Cup group stages again](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/22/65151641-11492665-image-a-8_1669932075904.jpg)
The result meanwhile meant Germany were knocked out of the World Cup group stages again
Thursday's incident, while again proving the right decision, was not the first at the Qatar World Cup to create confusion among those watching on.
Fans were dumfounded as Ecuador had a goal ruled out by VAR against the host nation for offside in the tournament opener, before definite evidence of the infringement was eventually shown.
The correct decision has again clearly been reached but, as pundits Gary Neville and Graham Souness stressed after the game, there is a need for clarity in real time.
Neville said: 'I don't believe in conspiracies, I just think that at this tournament they've not demonstrated it [well].
'From that first offside goal disallowed - Ecuador vs Qatar, game one - I've struggled with it and found it uncomfortable that we're not being given the correct angles. It doesn't feel right.
'We've got 100s of cameras in these stadiums where we can't miss anything and yet we've gone backwards in terms of demonstrating decisions. Someone in that VAR has seen something that is absolutely categoric that they should overturn it.'
![Pundit Gary Neville insisted there needs to be improved clarity over why decisions have been reached at the Qatar World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65150643-11492665-image-a-4_1669931869440.jpg)
Pundit Gary Neville insisted there needs to be improved clarity over why decisions have been reached at the Qatar World Cup
![Graeme Souness too was disappointed with the lack of a definitive image proving the goal should have stood](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/01/21/65150631-11492665-image-a-3_1669931866563.jpg)
Graeme Souness too was disappointed with the lack of a definitive image proving the goal should have stood
Souness too was outraged as pundits and fans were left without a definitive image that proved the goal should have stood.
Souness added: 'There's 80 million Germans going mad right now, waiting for a picture that shows that the ball didn't go out of play.'
'Every TV studio, every pundit, everybody who's got an interest will want to see the picture. Why are FIFA not showing us something which is so controversial and has cost Germany so dearly? Why are they not showing it to us?'
That image has now been released, however, and it's clear the right decision was made.
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