FIFA defends controversial Japan goal by releasing video footage

Germany were knocked out of World Cup with Japan stunning

with a 2-1 win but much of discussion around the whole ordeal was about Japan’s 2nd goal which appeared to be from a cross off the pitch. The goal was deemed correct by the goal line technology and VAR referees.

The TV replays and pictures from the Mitoma cross looked the ball to be off pitch from some angles but many have disputed that the spherical nature of the ball could look tricky in some shots.

However, FIFA released a video and a statement blaming “misleading images”, saying:

"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.”

will now take on Croatia in the last-16 of the World Cup while 2014 World Cup champions Germany are knocked out of the group stage of the World Cup for the second consecutive time.

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