The referee and VAR were on the fritz in the 2022 FIFA World Cup match between Belgium and Canada.
Belgium never seemed to get into a rhythm, with few shots and Kevin De Bruyne missing critical passes on the counter.
Roughly ten minutes in, Canada was gifted a penalty kick from a Belgian handball in the box. The Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies stepped up to take the kick-which was subpar-but Thibault Courtois easily denied the golden opportunity.
But the real action was what wasn’t called by the ref and VAR. Soon after Davies missed the penalty, Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen fouled Tajon Buchanan in the box but was ruled as offsides.
Still, Buchanan was not offside as Belgian Eden Hazard intentionally played the ball back. The gray area comes from Vertonghen touching the ball before fouling Buchanan, which is clutch when VAR is ruling whether or not to go to review.
"It was a missed call by both the referee and VAR. Canada should've had another penalty."@stuholden breaks down why Canada should have had a second penalty ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nuwikeItcd
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 23, 2022
Later, Canadian Richard Laryea was running alongside Belgian defender Axel Witsel when he came crashing down inside the penalty box, immediately appealing for a foul, which was not awarded.
Systems like VAR were designed to make soccer more objective when enforcing the rules. Still, so far, it seems to be operating more as a kind friend meekly pointing out they received the wrong food at a restaurant than the safeguard for consistency it has always been touted to be.
Canada should’ve had a 2nd penalty in the 1st half https://t.co/UoOXPLEX5z
— Stu Holden (@stuholden) November 23, 2022
I'm sorry to bash a referee but missing three nail on penalties in play isn't good enough in a world cup. One was corrected by VAR, but Canada should've had three penalties in this game and they've just been given one. Unacceptable at this level
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) November 23, 2022
Confusing how this can happen at the biggest stage. What's concerning is the fact there's millions watching at home that are getting that decision correct, yet the officials… Well, they have been pretty poor all round so far in Qatar.
— Ben 'Benson' Bowe (@Benson_EU) November 23, 2022
All over Belgium, missed one penalty, should have had another two given to them and somehow losing 1-0 at half time.
Canada hasn't been this screwed over since Survivor Series 1997. pic.twitter.com/0N8FQj6iGF
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 23, 2022
That Penalty Worst Thing Out of Canada Since Nickelback 🇨🇦😢
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 23, 2022
Surely Canada should’ve had a second penalty? Offside flag went up from a misplaced Belgium pass before a nailed on foul 🤔
They should’ve gone ice hockey mode 🏒 pic.twitter.com/x4g1n3RkBg
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) November 23, 2022
The only goal of the game came against the run of play when Belgian Michy Batshuayi scored in the 44th minute, earning Belgian three points to take the top spot in their group.
Belgium will play Morroco Sunday (8 am ET) at Al Thumama Stadium. Canada will play Croatia Sunday (11 am ET) at Khalifa International Stadium.
