Match highlights were punctuated by several critical referee decisions that sparked vocal protests from the Ecuadorian technical bench. Around the 68th minute, an Ecuadorian cross struck the arm of an outstretched Japanese defender inside the box. While Ecuadorian players swarmed the referee demanding a penalty, the official waved play on, ruling the defender’s arm was tucked in a natural supporting position.
Replays suggested a borderline call that could easily have gone the other way under stricter interpretations. Later, in the 81st minute, Japan found the back of the net off a sweeping counter-attack, only for the assistant referee’s flag to instantly rule the attacker offside by a matter of inches. Both decisions kept the score level, ensuring the match went the distance into spot kicks.
