Some images were ‘misleading’: FIFA defend VAR decision over Japan goal

FIFA insist 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'

CLOSE CALL: VAR judged that the whole of the ball had not crossed the line when Kaoru Mitoma cut it back to set up Japan’s winner against Spain. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA

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.