'How much was ref paid': How World Media reacted to India getting robbed in Qatar of FIFA WC place

Qatar defeated India 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier match yesterday. Despite Lallianzuala Chhangte's 37th-minute goal for India, Qatar turned the game around with goals from Yousef Aymen in the 73rd minute and Ahmed Al-Rawi in the 85th minute, and the goals were nothing short of controversial. The statistics showed Qatar with 18 shots and 56% possession, compared to India with 9 shots and 44% possession. The match, staged at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, saw Qatar defeat India to preserve their lead in Second Round Group A. In a disgraceful decision that has enraged football fans, the referee permitted Qatar's contentious equaliser against India despite the ball obviously going out of play. This occurrence happened in the second half of the contest.

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World football reacts to Qatar’s scandal against Indian football team in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2024 second round

Following the controversial match where Qatar defeated India 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the global sports community, including various social media and world media outlets, rallied in support of the Indian team. Many platforms highlighted the perceived injustice and robbery faced by India, with the contentious equalizer goal sparking intense debate and outrage. The incident gained significant attention, with calls for fair officiating and transparency in football matches resonating across the world.

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Needing a victory to get to the third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying for the first time in history, India played Qatar away. Lallianzuala Chhangte led early, but a contentious equaliser from Qatar caused controversy to surround the game.

Yousef Aymen scored for Qatar under controversial conditions in the 73rd minute. Once goalie Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saved an Aymen header, Indian players concluded the ball was out of play. But the whistle never went, and Al Hassan, a defender for Qatar, recovered the ball and handed it to Aymen, who scored from close quarters.

The Indian players angrily objected, claiming that it was obvious the ball was out of play. Officials of the game gave Qatar the goal in spite of their protests. The lineman was conferred with by South Korean referee Kim Woo-sung, who then maintained his first ruling.

The disputed goal was uncontested by VAR in the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying because the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was not in place. It is strange because Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022, and the VAR was absent in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match 2 years later.