It has already been announced that in the final round of the group tournament, Japan beat Spain 2-1 and Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2.
Ao Tanaka scored the second goal for Japan in the 51st minute of the game. Moments before it looked like the ball had crossed the end line, so the goal shouldn’t have counted.
However, with the help of modern technology, it was possible to make sure and determine that the ball had not completely crossed the end line of the pitch.
This episode of the game has created a storm on the Internet, because in the photos it looks like the ball is over the line. Here is a video explaining the situation.
????️”What you need to understand is the ball is spherical. Angles are deceptive…”
Our rules expert @ChristinaUnkel shows why Japan’s crucial second goal against Spain, which knocked Germany out of the World Cup, did not go out of play and was right to stand.✅ pic.twitter.com/VcUKItTU3R
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 1, 2022
This episode largely separated the fate of Japanese and German football players. If the Japanese had drawn 1:1 with the Spaniards, then Germany would have qualified for the round of 16.
Although Japan defeated Germany in the head-to-head match, in the event of a tie, the first criterion is the ratio of goals scored to goals conceded. Germany would have +1, Japan 0.
However, Japan and Spain will play in the round of 16 from subgroup E, but the tournament has ended for Germany and Costa Rica.
On December 5, Japan will face Croatia in the round of 16, and a day later Spain will face Morocco.