Ghana’s Coach Says VAR ‘Went for a Coffee’ After England Escapes Two Calls

Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz did not hold back after his team’s 0-0 draw with England on Wednesday. He said the video assistant referee must have been on break — literally.

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

He was talking about two separate incidents that went England’s way. Both involved Ghana forward Prince Adu, who found himself in the middle of the action twice in the second half.

First, in the 67th minute, Jordan Pickford sprinted out of his area to meet Adu on a 50-50 ball. Pickford got there late and clattered into the Ghanaian, but referee Saíd Martínez called the foul on Adu instead. Queiroz called it a “shock” and said Pickford should have been sent off.

Alan Shearer, working as a pundit for the BBC, agreed with Queiroz. “He realizes he’s in trouble, does Jordan Pickford,” Shearer said. “He knows he’s not going to get to the ball.”

Minutes later, England got another break. Eberechi Eze was knocked off the ball, Adu ran onto it, and defender Ezri Konsa slid in with a lunging challenge. Konsa missed the ball completely and wrapped his leg around Adu’s knee. No penalty was called. No VAR check happened either.

Darren Cann, a BBC referee analyst, said the challenge should have gone to the review monitor. “Konsa makes no contact at all with the ball,” Cann said. “He’s airborne, he’s out of control. For me, this is a penalty kick.”

Queiroz was blunt. “I think they are happy and I am happy also with the draw,” he said. “I’m sorry for my sarcasm. But if I say these things seriously they punish me, so I hope you understand I’m joking.”

England could not make Ghana pay for the missed calls. Harry Kane had the best chance late in the game — a rebound from close range after Nico O’Reilly’s header hit the bar. He skied it.

The game finished 0-0. That result means England still has work to do in Group L. They face Panama on Saturday, July 27, with a spot in the knockout rounds not yet secured.

Queiroz, for his part, seemed less interested in the final score than in the calls that got away. “You have any doubts about that? You guys who saw the game have any doubts about that or is it only me?”