Let’s get one thing straight: The United States does not deserve to make the World Cup after an awful performance against Trinidad and Tobago. But there’s no denying that Panama’s win over Costa Rica that helped them past the USMNT and into the tournament was aided by a phantom goal that shouldn’t have been allowed.
Bizarre phantom goal call keeps USMNT out of World Cup, puts Panama in
VAR? Goal-line technology? Anyone?
In the 53rd minute, Blas Perez scored an equalizer against Los Ticos. Except there’s one big problem — the ball never crossed the line.
Unfortunately, neither goal-line technology nor video assistant referee was used in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, so there’s no way the officials on the pitch could check their mistake after allowing the goal.
Then, in the 88th minute, Roman Torres scored this stunner to give Panama the 2-1 victory and punch its ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
It’s beyond time for every major competition to have both GLT and VAR. There’s no excuse anymore. Officiating mistakes this big in World Cup qualifiers are unacceptable.
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