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.

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!

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.

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

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