World Cup 2022: South Africans Defend Victor Gomes After Japan Goal Controversy

• Victor Gomes was at the centre of the talking point from Spain and Japan's World Cup game
• Germany were eliminated from the tournament after the Samurai Blue topped their group
• South Africans are standing behind Gomes amid controversy for allowing Japan's 2nd goal

Victor Gomes is undoubtedly South Africa's most successful referee, but he has his share of critics as well.

Gomes, along with Zakhele Siwela, Souru Phatšoane and Salima Mukansanga, oversaw Japan's victory over Spain in a game that had its fair share of criticism.

The biggest talking point came in the 51st minute of the game, when Ao Tanaka scored the Samurai Blue's second goal from close range.

The goal was originally disallowed, after the ball appeared to have gone out of play before it was crossed into the box for Tanaka, Daily Mail reported.

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VAR intervened and ruled that it hadn't, allowing the goal to stand.

The decision proved costly for Germany, who were eliminated from the tournament because of Spain's win, and it also drew criticism from fans who believe the ball was out of play.

Gomes has come under fire as part of that criticism, but South Africans aren't having it. They took to Twitter to defend the referee, with a few poking fun at the situation.

Social media users react:

@NyathiNdumis0:

"How are y’all blaming Victor Gomes when he got confirmation from the VAR team?"

@NgwenyaMJ:

"Both VAR and Victor Gomes are right. It's a clear goal. The whole circumference of the ball did not pass the line."

@NcebaNjeje:

"Victor Gomes did not make that decision. It was a VAR decision and they took a correct decision."

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@A_Kedi_Kene:

"Victor Gomes consulted with the VAR team and they gave it... It was not "solely" his decision!!! Mr Gomes did nothing wrong n besides this is a legitimate goal."

@TshephoSes:

"Thanx to Victor Gomes for settling the score with Germany. South Africa should’ve hosted the WC in 2006 but the German FA and Charles Dempsey did their thing. It was payback time from the SA referee."

Victor and Zakhele to officiate

South Africa may not be competing at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but the country is still well-represented in the tournament, Sports Brief earlier reported.

Mzansi’s own refereeing duo, Gomes and Siwela were called up to Qatar and have already officiated their first game.

Lesotho's Souru Phatšoane and Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga will join the duo for the game.

VAR decision kicked Germany out

The football world is still reeling from shock after Germany, with all its star players, was eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage for the second consecutive tournament.

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After a sluggish start to the campaign, Die Mannschaft finally found their scoring boots against Costa Rica.

But they still needed Spain to do them a favour by beating or holding Japan to draw, a favour that was hard to come by due to a controversial Video Assistant Referee review.