Japan's goal that ultimately eliminated Germany counted thanks to the cruelest geometric twist

Yes, this ball is in-bounds!

Japan shocked Spain — and Germany — with a 2-1 victory on Thursday to win Group E at the 2022 World Cup.

Yes, Germany is out early in the World Cup once more despite winning their match against Costa Rica 4-2. The Germans needed to win and Japan needed to lose in order for the team to advance to the knockout round. Unfortunately for Germany, Japan came to play on Thursday and bested Spain, who also made it into the knockout round as the runner up of Group E.

The goal that ultimately sent Japan to the knockout round was not without controversy, however. In the 51st minute, Ao Tanaka knocked in a pass from Kaoru Mitoma for the 2-1 score. The goal was looked at by VAR and was given a pass, but on first glance it really looks like Mitoma’s pass to Tanaka goes out of bounds before the score.

After a VAR check this was confirmed as a goal for Japan pic.twitter.com/WDmJ1QJAdc

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2022

If so, then what gives? Clearly the ball was out of bounds, right? Not according to geometry, actually!

Let me explain.

Thanks to a geometric phenomenon called the parallax view, the broadcast camera angle is tricking you into believing the ball was out of bounds. Checking the overhead view, however, reveals that it was close, but the ball was actually in bounds!

How close were we to a very different ending in that group for Japan, Spain and Germany? Via @AP_Sports: pic.twitter.com/d33P4Ro77p

— Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) December 1, 2022

Basically, viewing a ball crossing a line — or a puck crossing the red line in hockey, where this often comes up — from a side angle like that can be deceiving. Looking at an overhead view, however, gives an unbiased perspective at what’s really going on here.

Commentators confused, after watching the first replay, about why the Japan goal stood. A reminder that camera angles can be deceiving.#WorldCup2022 #JPNESP #JPN pic.twitter.com/Ew12D8SzwT

— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) December 1, 2022

Angles mean everything… what looks out from the side is, in reality, in play from above.. #ESP #JAP #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/5BraYqldND

— Chris Williams (@Chris78Williams) December 1, 2022

Who knew geometry had such an important role in how we view sports?