Queiroz accuses VAR of 'going for a coffee' as England escape red card and penalty in Ghana draw

Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz accused the VAR system of being “on holiday” after England survived two major refereeing controversies to draw 0-0 with Ghana in Boston, with Jordan Pickford escaping a red card and Ezri Konsa avoiding a penalty in the same second half.

“I’m not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup,” Queiroz said after the match. “We had our chances to the point that they’re lucky. They’re very lucky.”

Incident 1: Pickford’s collision with Prince Adu

The first flashpoint arrived in the 67th minute when substitute Prince Adu surged towards the box chasing a forward ball. Pickford rushed out of his area in an attempt to get there first but collided with Adu as the pair challenged for the ball, which had already run just past the England goalkeeper at the point of contact.

Referee Saíd Martínez of Honduras awarded the free-kick to England rather than Ghana, a decision that drew sharp criticism from pundits. Alan Shearer, speaking on BBC’s coverage, sided with Queiroz: “I agree with him. I didn’t think that was an England free-kick at all, I think it could have been given the other way. He realises he’s in trouble does Jordan Pickford. He knows he’s not going to get to the ball.”

Queiroz called the non-call a “shock” and said Pickford “should have been sent off”.

Incident 2: Konsa’s lunge on Adu

England were fortunate again shortly afterwards. With Adu played in behind after Eberechi Eze was shoulder-barged off the ball, Ezri Konsa made a last-ditch lunging challenge that got none of the ball, wrapping his leg around Adu’s knee and bringing the Ghana forward down inside the area.

The offside flag went up after a scramble to clear, and no VAR review was initiated. Play resumed with an England free-kick. BBC referee analyst Darren Cann stated the challenge should have been referred to VAR for a potential spot-kick.

Queiroz did not hold back in his post-match assessment, joking that the VAR operator must have “gone for a coffee” to have missed both incidents. “Another penalty that they need give to Ghana — a clear penalty against England — was missed,” he said.

England’s performance offered little to suggest they were deserving of even a point, with the side creating minimal clear-cut chances across 90 minutes. The result leaves both nations with work to do in the group stage, but it is the officiating decisions — and the questions they raise about VAR consistency — that are likely to dominate the conversation in the days ahead.