Queiroz Claims VAR ‘Went For A Coffee’ As Ghana Hold England In World Cup Draw

• Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said England were fortunate to avoid a penalty and red card during Tuesday’s goalless draw.
• The veteran manager joked that VAR officials had “gone for a coffee” after rejecting Ghana’s appeals.
• Both teams remain well placed to qualify for the knockout stages heading into their final Group L matches.

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz joked that the video assistant referee must have “gone for a coffee” after claiming England escaped a penalty and red card during Tuesday’s 0-0 World Cup draw in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

After both teams won their Group L openers, Ghana produced a disciplined display to frustrate England, who dominated possession but failed to find a breakthrough.

Thomas Tuchel’s side enjoyed 79% possession, the highest recorded by any team that failed to score in a World Cup match over the past 60 years, but Ghana left the game feeling aggrieved by several refereeing decisions.

The Black Stars believed they should have been awarded a late penalty when Ezri Konsa challenged substitute Prince Adu inside the area. Adu had also been involved in an earlier collision with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with Ghana unhappy that a free kick was awarded instead.

Speaking after the match, Queiroz questioned whether VAR was functioning properly.

“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup,” Queiroz said.

“We still have VAR? It’s working?

“I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England, was missed.”

American official Armando Villarreal served as VAR for the match, while Honduran referee Said Martinez took charge on the field.

Queiroz continued his criticism by suggesting England had been fortunate to escape punishment.

“We had our chances to the point that they’re lucky. They’re very lucky,” he said.

“Once again, VAR went for a coffee. It’s natural, I would like to also take my coffees once in a while, but it was a clear penalty, red card.

“You have any doubts about that? You guys who saw the game have any doubts about that or is it only me that was in the game?

“At the end of the day, that’s why I say it was a fair result. They play more time with the ball, we fight more, we fight better, we create our chances, they have chances at the end.

“I think they are happy and I am happy also with the draw.”

The Ghana coach later clarified that his comments were made with a degree of humour.

“I’m sorry for my sarcasm, but if I say these kind of things seriously they punish me, so I hope you understand that I’m joking.”

Queiroz was also involved in a brief exchange with England midfielder Jude Bellingham as the players headed off at halftime following a strong challenge on Jerome Opoku.

Bellingham insisted the incident was nothing more than competitive tension.

“It was just when I made a silly tackle, to be honest,” he said.

“I was trying to try to win the ball, and I followed through a little bit and caught the lad. I spoke to him after, and then their bench jumped up trying to get me a yellow card.

“So, I think with their manager I just recognized him. He’s obviously the one who used to be at Manchester United, so great respect, and nothing but a competitive edge for both of us.”

Queiroz offered his own explanation of the confrontation.

“My intention was to tell him to cool down with that tackle that he did,” he told ITV.

“Could be a second yellow card, clearly, because he went with the foot against our player.

“I was worried because my player was not in 100% health. He had a bad reaction with some bad words and that’s why it started.”

England entered the match on the back of a 4-2 victory over Croatia, while Ghana had opened their campaign with a 1-0 win against Panama.

The draw leaves both nations in strong positions to qualify for the knockout stages, particularly with the expanded 48-team format allowing the eight best third-placed teams to advance.

England will conclude their Group L campaign against Panama in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while Ghana face Croatia at the same time as they bid to secure a place in the next round.