VAR gave Curacao commentators reason to celebrate as the minnows stunned Jamaica to qualify for the World Cup.
The Caribbean island battled to a goalless draw in Kingston to claim the automatic qualifying over the Reggae Boyz.
The island of just 155,000 people benefited from Jamaica failing to win either of their last two qualifiers to jump into top spot.
As a result, they grabbed the only automatic qualifying spot and will play in their first-ever World Cup next summer.
Jamaica, however, have been condemned to the Intercontinental Playoffs which is drawn tomorrow and will be played in Mexico.
But it could have been so different had the hosts notched just one goal last night.
Steve McClaren‘s side hit the woodwork three times before seemingly being granted one last chance.
The referee pointed to the spot after an apparent foul in the box, which would have presented Jamaica with a chance to secure passage to the World Cup.
But VAR was on hand to suggest the official take a second look at the challenge, in which it was deemed that the defender had got the ball.
Curacao commentators could be heard nervously waiting for the referee’s decision and burst into wild celebrations after the penalty was overturned.
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Video shared on social media showed the four of them bouncing up and down in their studio.
The commentators could be seen throwing their hands up in the air in celebration.
Fans loved the clip after it was shared and went viral on social media.
One posted: “Wonderful response.”
A second commented: “The utter joy at having a penalty decision overturned is almost as good as scoring a goal.”
A third wrote: “Football, eh?”
A fourth said: “Look at that outpouring of emotions. Absolute Cinema.”
Another added: “Who said VAR kills football.”
Curacao will be lead into the tournament by former Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat.
At the age of 78, he will break the record and become the oldest man to ever manage at a World Cup tournament.
Smallest nations at World Cups
Here is a look at the smallest nations by population to qualify for World Cups and the year they first qualified for the tournament…
10 – Uruguay, 2.2million – 1950
9 – Slovenia, 2million – 2002
8 – United Arab Emirates, 1.9million – 1990
7 – Kuwait, 1.7million – 1982
6 – Paraguay, 1.5million – 1950
5 – Northern Ireland, 1.4million – 1958
4 – Trinidad and Tobago, 1.3million – 2006
3 – Cape Verde, 525k – 2026
2 – Iceland, 352k – 2018
1 – Curacao – 155k – 2026
He takes the title from Otto Rehhagel who was 71 years and 317 days when he managed Greece at the 2010 World Cup.
Curacao’s entry into the tournament has created its own history as the tiny island will be the smallest nation to compete EVER.
Meanwhile, Jamaica are now looking for their next manager after McClaren QUIT following the 0-0 draw.
They will be joined in the playoffs by Suriname, Bolivia, DR Congo, New Caledonia, and Iraq, with games set to be played in Mexico in March 2026.
