Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has questioned the use of VAR at the FIFA World Cup after his side were denied what he described as a “clear penalty” during Tuesday’s goalless draw against England.
The Black Stars earned a valuable point in their Group L clash at Boston Stadium, but Queiroz left the match convinced his team should have been awarded a second-half spot-kick.
The incident occurred when Ghana substitute Prince Kwabena Adu appeared to be brought down inside the penalty area by England defender Ezri Konsa as the Black Stars pushed for a winner.
Despite protests from the Ghana bench and players, Honduran referee Said Martinez waved play on, while VAR chose not to intervene.
Queiroz did not hide his frustration after the final whistle.
“They might have been better than us in the first half but we were better than them in terms of fighting spirit,” the Ghana coach said.
“We had opportunities to win it and I’m not sure if VAR is still working. It was a clear penalty.”
The Portuguese tactician felt Ghana’s performance deserved more than just a point, praising his players for standing up to one of the tournament favourites.
England dominated possession throughout the contest, enjoying close to 80 percent of the ball, but struggled to break down a disciplined Ghana defence led by outstanding performances from Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku and Jonas Adjetey.
As the match wore on, Ghana increasingly threatened on the counterattack and looked the more likely side to find a breakthrough.
Prince Kwabena Adu’s introduction gave the Black Stars fresh energy in attack, and it was his burst into the penalty area that created the game’s biggest controversy.
Television replays appeared to show contact between Konsa and the Ghana forward, prompting immediate appeals from the players and coaching staff.
The decision has already become a major talking point among supporters and pundits, with many questioning why the incident was not reviewed more thoroughly.
Despite his disappointment, Queiroz praised the character shown by his players.
The draw leaves Ghana unbeaten after two matches and in a strong position ahead of Saturday’s decisive clash with Croatia.
The Black Stars need only avoid defeat to secure automatic qualification for the Round of 32, but Queiroz may still feel his side were denied the chance to take all three points against England.
For Ghana, the result was positive. Yet the debate over whether Prince Kwabena Adu should have won a penalty is likely to continue long after the final whistle.
