VAR went for a coffee – should Ghana have had penalty against England?
VAR went for a coffee – England’s World Cup campaign faced a pivotal test as Ghana secured a goalless draw on Tuesday night. Despite the result, manager Carlo Queiroz remained puzzled by a critical moment that could have altered the game’s outcome. The Black Stars’ coach questioned the decision not to award a penalty, highlighting a potential oversight by the video assistant referee (VAR).
The incident occurred late in the match when Prince Kwabena Adu entered the penalty area, followed by a challenge from Ezri Konsa. Replays showed Konsa made contact with Adu’s knee but did not touch the ball. While this decision pleased England’s fans, Queiroz expressed his doubts, suggesting the VAR missed a clear opportunity to intervene.
“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working?”
Queiroz’s frustration was evident as he described the situation: “I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England [was missed]. They’re lucky. They’re very lucky.” He added a touch of humor, apologizing for his sarcasm: “I’m sorry for my sarcasm, but if I say these kind of things seriously they punish me, so I hope you understand that I’m joking.”
Pundits agree with Queiroz’s concerns
BBC Sport analysts echoed Queiroz’s sentiment, noting that the incident warranted a VAR review. Former England striker Wayne Rooney stated: “I think that’s a penalty. Konsa takes a huge risk. His feet are off the floor when he comes flying in and he gets the man, not the ball. That could easily have been given in my view.”
Ex-England defender Micah Richards concurred, emphasizing the need for protection: “England were chasing the game, they were trying to score the goal but you still need that protection behind you. On another day, that could have been a penalty.”
The VAR’s decision to bypass the review raised questions about consistency in high-stakes matches. In the Premier League, such a challenge might have prompted a review, but at the World Cup, officials appear to apply a stricter standard. Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s head referee, has advocated for a higher threshold for VAR interventions, aiming to balance accuracy with decision-making consistency.
“As an England fan I am delighted that it wasn’t given,” said Darren Cann, a 2010 World Cup final assistant referee. “But I have to be honest, for me this should have been referred… Konsa makes absolutely no contact at all with the ball, he brings down his opponent. He is airborne, he is out of control, he makes contact with the attacker. For me this was a penalty kick.”
The debate underscores the evolving role of VAR in international football, where its application remains a topic of discussion among managers, players, and analysts. As the tournament progresses, the scrutiny on such decisions will likely intensify, shaping the narrative of key matches.
