Carlos Queiroz joked that VAR “went for a coffee” after Ghana were controversially denied a penalty in their World Cup draw with England. The resilient Black Stars dug in for an impressive stalemate against Thomas Tuchel’s Group L favourites in Boston on Tuesday, with both sides on course for the last 32 after amassing four points each from their opening two games.
Controversial Challenge on Adu
A mostly mundane contest - Jude Bellingham’s foul-mouthed half-time row with Ghana coach Queiroz aside - sparked into life late on, with England substitute Nico O’Reilly heading against the crossbar and Harry Kane firing over from close range as the likes of Bukayo Saka and Marc Guehi were also denied. Ghana also posed a greater threat on the counter-attack in the second half and felt they should have been awarded a spot-kick with 11 minutes to play for Ezri Konsa’s risky challenge on Prince Kwabena Adu inside the box.
The Aston Villa defender had both feet off the ground as he jumped into a tackle on Adu, making contact with the player’s right knee while getting nothing on the ball. Referee Said Martinez did not give a penalty and there was no intervention from VAR Armando Villarreal, with England ending up with a free-kick for a subsequent offside call.
Queiroz's Sarcastic Remarks
“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It’s working?” Queiroz joked after the game. “I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England (was missed).” Queiroz felt that Konsa should have been sent off for the challenge, while he also claimed that Bellingham could have been dismissed for his challenge on Jerome Opoku that sparked a furious row between England’s No10 and the Ghana bench following the half-time whistle.
Ghana were also left bemused by England being awarded a free-kick when goalkeeper Jordan Pickford came racing out of his area and collided with Adu late in the second half. Former Manchester United assistant Queiroz added: “We had our chances to the point that they’re lucky. They’re very lucky. Once again, VAR went for a coffee. It’s natural, I would like to also take my coffees once in a while, but it was a clear penalty, red card.”
Pundits Agree on Penalty
Former England striker Wayne Rooney concurred with Queiroz that Ghana should have had a penalty, saying in his role as a pundit on the BBC: “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.” His view was shared by former Premier League official Darren Cann, while ex-England defender Micah Richards also insisted that a penalty could have been given.
Ex-top-flight referee Mark Halsey told The Sun: “Ezri Konsa was incredibly lucky not to concede a penalty. He dives in, does not play the ball and catches Ghana midfielder Prince Adu on the knee in the 79th minute. It was ruled offside – but that offence happened after the challenge by England’s Konsa. It was not even mentioned as being looked at by VAR, so England can consider themselves fortunate they did not lose. But I had no problem with Jordan Pickford not being penalised when he raced out of his goal and collided with Adu. It was a fifty-fifty – and those calls always go to the keeper.”
