It only took three minutes for a controversial call at the 2022 WC

Enner Valencia (left) of Ecuador during the Qatar 2022 World Cup match. Sipa USA

Watch: It only took three minutes for a controversial call at the 2022 World Cup

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 11/20/22

The 2022 World Cup opened on Sunday with a match between Ecuador and host country Qatar, and it did not take long for controversy to erupt on the pitch.

Just three minutes into the opening match Ecuador appeared to strike for an early goal. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR check due to offsides. The problem: Nobody actually saw the offside in real time, or on replay.

Have a look.

After a VAR check, this did not count for Ecuador pic.twitter.com/cn5GYfQz18
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 20, 2022

Can you see it? Did you catch it? Probably not. The announcers were confused and social media was ablaze with criticism. Then after several minutes the VAR image that highlighted the offside was finally shown. It was this close.

Here is the VAR offside graphic:#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/JtRC27rvex
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) November 20, 2022

That is all it takes.

In the end it was not a case of the fix being in, but simply a matter of how VAR and replay technology can really take the fun out of games and big moments. Even if it is the right call.

Ecuador did end up scoring the first goal on a penalty kick by Enner Valencia.

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