FIFA World Cup 2026: Germany lost on penalties against Paraguay due to VAR
Germany's potential winning goal was ruled out by VAR due to a controversial foul, leading to their elimination in the penalty shootout against Paraguay.
Germany thought their misery was over when defender Jonathan Tah gave his side a 2–1 lead in the 12th minute of extra time, but the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened. Unmarked, Tah leapt onto the back post and fired a powerful header past Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gil, but the effort was cleared. Former English captain Alan Shearer called it a "disappointing" incident. When the corner was taken, Germany's Waldemar Anton was adjudged to have obstructed Gil. Gill fell and got up before attempting a save from Tah's header. But referee Jalal Zayed canceled the goal by going to the pitch side monitor on the recommendation of VAR. Shearer said on BBC One that the Paraguayan player "betrayed the referee". He said, "I don't agree with the decision. The goalkeeper fell in a light collision and that's very ordinary. It was a terrible decision. You must understand this is a contact sport, the goalkeeper deceived the referee and VAR. The way he fell was disappointing." and Paraguay won 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann was extremely angry about that canceled goal. He said, "In my opinion, the foul was not a real foul; in fact its cancellation was a joke." Nagelsmann was also shown a yellow card for his protest, with his future still uncertain. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who was working for German television during the World Cup, compared Tahs' canceled goal to several goals that reigning Premier League champions Arsenal had conceded throughout the season. Klopp tabled
Ta told TV: "If the goal is illegal, Arsenal will not be English champions. They have scored 60% of the goals like this. We [Germany] win when the ball goes in. So, of course, it is brutal." When play resumed, former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann shared his thoughts on the decision. "It's soft in my opinion," Cain said on BBC One. "But based on what we've seen so far in the tournament, I wouldn't be surprised if they rescinded it. We've seen two or three goals disallowed for very minor offenses. This is nothing. It's a small infraction on the goalkeeper, but for me, it's not enough. I doubt they will rescind it. We feel it shouldn't be rescinded." Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, who was in Boston for BBC Radio 5 Live, also believed the foul was not clear enough to warrant having the goal ruled out. He said, "The atmosphere there is chaos. There is a hindrance – does it affect the goalkeeper? It seems yes. It is a subjective call. It is not clear."
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