New technology inside World Cup ball helped give Japan win over Spain

New technology inside the World Cup's official match ball has proved that Japan’s controversial goal against Spain was right to be given.

The final round of matches in Group E produced arguably the most talked-about moment of the 2022 World Cup so far.

Heading into the match, Japan needed a positive result in order to secure a place in the next round.

However, they were down 1-0 in the first half after a goal by Alvaro Morata in the 12th minute.

Japan came out fighting in the second half and produced a monumental effort as they managed to draw level three minutes into the second half thanks to Ritsu Doan’s strike.

In the 51st minute came the big talking point as Ao Tanaka scored to make it 2-1, but the replays seem to show the ball was out of play before Kaoru Mitoma managed to cross it.

However, after a long VAR delay, the goal was given. Many felt the goal should not have stood and many broadcasters were not shown the replay that determined the decision to award the goal.

On ITV, former referee Peter Walton said: “FIFA said for offside decisions, they would be automatically shown to fans inside the stadium. That technology is available for this goal too. The evidence will appear sooner rather or later whether or not the ball has crossed the line.”

Now, it looks like the goal was legit as technology managed to show that the ball was in fact still in play when Mitoma played it back across, therefore, the goal was legit and the VAR decision was correct. It has been said that the sensor inside the match ball determined that it was still in play.

That goal was enough to earn Japan a famous victory, propelling them into the last 16 of the World Cup as group winners.

ITV pundit Graeme Souness slammed FIFA for failing to show conclusive replays during the match.

He said: “Why are FIFA not showing us something that is so controversial? Why aren't they showing it to us? Clear it up for us, please.”

Whilst fellow pundit Gary Neville added: “From that very first offside goal, Ecuador vs Qatar in game one, I've struggled with it a little bit that we've not been given the correct angles, it just doesn't feel right.

“In the Premier League we see all the VAR cameras, here we don’t.”

Japan will play Croatia in the round of 16 on Monday December 5.

Topics: Japan, Spain, Football World Cup, Football

Marcus Chan

@MarcusChan2