Qatar: A new angle of Japan's controversial winner against Spain - which knocked Germany out of the World Cup - has shown the ball might have just been in play after all. Just moments after equalising against Spain, 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 Ritsu Doan's equaliser. And FIFA have now explained the decision - despite one camera angle in particular appearing to show the ball out of play. And a new aerial view looks like the ball might well have stayed in play by a matter of millimetres as confusion over the decision raged with FIFA not showing evidence which led the VAR decision. The law states that the ball is in play "if the curvature of the ball is over the line", which it was decided was the case after consulting replays, including goal line cameras.

 

News of Japan's strike was met with groans from Germany fans at their game, and they were pegged back further by a Costa Rica equaliser just moments later. With Costa Rica taking the lead, Spain was also heading out at one stage before an equaliser ensured their defeat didn't cost them. It appeared Spain and Germany were cruising into the last-16 at the break. Spain took an early lead via Alvaro Morata and dominated the ball with 82.9% of possession in the first half before Japan's comeback.

 

Germany, likewise, led via Serge Gnabry but Yeltsin Tejeda levelled for Costa Rica, who led soon after via Juan Pablo Vargas. Whilst Kai Havertz hit back to equalise, saving Spain in the process, it was not enough to prevent Germany from being eliminated at the group stage.