Fifa release goal line footage from Japan vs Spain World Cup goal as they confirm ball stayed IN

FIFA have released new goal line footage from Japan’s win over Spain to confirm the decision which knocked Germany out of the World Cup.

Die Mannschaft fans were left furious after the controversial call sent them packing.

Fifa released footage justifying the decision to award Japan a goal that knocked out Gerrmany

The statement read: “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.”

It added: “Other cameras may offer misleading images but on the evidence available, the whole of the ball was not out of play.”

La Roja had taken the lead through Alvaro Morata and appeared to be cruising into the last-16 along with the Germans as they led Costa Rica in the other Group E game.

However, Japan staged a stunning comeback after the break as Ritsu Doan’s powerful strike drew them level.

Then Ao Tanaka turned the scoreline and group on its head to put his side ahead in remarkable fashion.

The cross that led to his goal looked from some angles to have crossed the byline, which would have led to it being disallowed and a goalkick being awarded.

The on-field officials initially ruled it had gone out of play before Tanaka scored, but VAR corrected the decision.

The technology proved that the ball had been kept in play by just a few millimetres before Kaoru Mitoma pulled it back from his team-mate to tap in – although no clear evidence as to how they reached the decision has yet been provided.

Pictures appear to show that the ball was over – and there were few players questioning the ref after he initially disallowed it.

Japan held on to clinch a 2-1 victory and claim top spot in the group, meaning Germany, who beat Costa Rica 4-2, were eliminated as Spain clung on to second via goal difference.

Fans spent the next 24 hours arguing if the ball had indeed crossed the line or not.

Fifa’s latest footage may persuade some.

England fans felt the decision was 12 years in the making either way.

Frank Lampard was infamously denied an equaliser against Germany in 2010 when his shot crashed down off the bar but spun back and was not given as a goal – despite being way over the line.