FIFA defends VAR on Japan goal

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.

The goal sparked huge debate, but on Friday afternoon the game’s global governing body published two posts on its official Twitter account by way of clarification.

Other cameras may offer misleading images but on the evidence available, the whole of the ball was not out of play. pic.twitter.com/HKKEot0j1Y

"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 first read.

"The video match officials used the goal line camera images to check if the ball was still partially on the line or not."

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A second post added: "Other cameras may offer misleading images but on the evidence available, the whole of the ball was not out of play."

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. pic.twitter.com/RhN8meei6Q

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said: "If it was really out it would have been a goal kick, but the judgement of the referee