Gary Neville has questioned why FIFA aren't providing more clarity over VAR decisions after Japan's 2-1 victory over Spain.
In what can only be described as a rollercoaster day of football, Japan delivered another shock in the tournament as they defeated Spain to finish top of Group E, while Spain finished as runners up ahead of Germany on goal difference.
Spain looked to be cruising through Alvarao Morata's goal in the 11th minute, while Germany also went into the interval in front against Costa Rica, thanks to a Serge Gnabry header, with both sides set to go through.
However, the second half of both games was a rollercoaster of emotions for all four teams, with Japan equalising against Spain within two minutes of the second half, and had taken the lead through a controversial goal from Ao Tanka.
The goal was originally ruled out as it looked as though the ball had crossed the line, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was awarded.
🇯🇵 2-1 🇪🇸
Here's the moment the goal was awarded - some of the supporters seem shocked
📺 Watch live now on @rtenews & @rteplayer: https://t.co/d4r720hpin
📱 Live updates: https://t.co/63tJ03ZBuS#JPNESP #FIFAWorldCup #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/byYtaQmJHf— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 1, 2022
Meanwhile, Costa Rica were leading 2-1 against Germany at one stage, which would have put both Spain and Germany out of the World Cup. While Germany made a comeback to win the game 4-2, it wasn't enough as they exited the competition in the group stage.
Gary Neville On VAR
While Japan continued to shock the world, Gary Neville was in disbelief over the decision to award Japan's second goal. The ball was judged to have been partly on the line when crossed in, despite several replays showing otherwise.
Speaking on ITV after the game, Gary Neville questioned why they weren't shown the possible angles or video evidence that would show why the goal was given. While Germany's performances haven't been up to scratch, it was the goal that sent them out of the tournament.
Alongside Graeme Souness and Eniola Aluko, Gary Neville was highly critical of the officiating so far at the tournament, and questioned why FIFA haven't done more to provide stronger video evidence of key decisions.
"From the very first day of this tournament, we haven't been able to communicate on big decisions really clearly. To the fans at home and us, how are these decisions being overturned.
There's a goal that was disallowed, and VAR have seen something that we haven't yet seen in this studio. We haven't seen it around the world, we can't get an angle that the VAR officials have seen.
We've got hundreds of cameras now in these stadiums where we can't miss anything, and yet we have gone backwards in terms of demonstrating clear decisions. That goal was disallowed by the officials on the pitch, someone in that VAR studio has seen something which has absolutely categorially means they should overturn it.
From that very first offside goal disallowed in Ecuador V Qatar, I've struggled a little bit and felt uncomfortable with not being given the correct angles and correct camera's, it just doesn't feel right."
If this tournament is anything to go by, it's unlikely to be the last controversial decision we come across.
SEE ALSO: Didi Hamann Believes There Is No Way Japan's Spain Winner Should Have Stood
Read More: Unique Arsenal Gift Ideas For Gunners Fans
