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 for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa in Tuesday's World Cup clash.
After both teams won their Group L openers, the well-drilled Black Stars sat back and frustrated Thomas Tuchel's men on an overcast afternoon in Massachusetts. England dominated possession and had 19 shots, but the game finished 0-0 at Boston Stadium.
Penalty appeal ignored
Ghana's appeals for a late penalty for Konsa's challenge on substitute Prince Adu fell on deaf ears. Adu had been hurt shortly before that in a collision with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who was awarded a free-kick rather than penalised.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Queiroz looked towards a FIFA official and said: "I'm not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. 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)."
VAR controversy
American official Armando Villarreal was VAR for Tuesday's match in Foxborough, where Said Martinez of Honduras was referee. Queiroz continued: "We had our chances to the point that they're lucky. They're very lucky. 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."
He added: "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."
Match analysis
England controlled proceedings, registering 19 shots and dominating possession, but Ghana's disciplined defence held firm. Queiroz acknowledged the balance of play: "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."
Queiroz concluded with a note of caution: "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."
