Germany were locked in a close game against Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32, but a controversial moment came during extra time, which was followed by VAR play.
Germany thought they had scored the winning goal in the first half of extra time (Image: BBC)
Germany were furious after their controversial extra-time goal against Paraguay was ruled out by VAR. The decision was so controversial that even Alan Shearer was furious at the World Cup.
BBC commentator Shearer called VAR’s decision “pathetic” after Jonathan Tarr’s header was disallowed. Germany national team defender Valdemar Anton was deemed to have interfered with Paraguay national team goalkeeper Orlando Gil’s attack, and the Bayern Munich defender’s goal was ruled out for chalk.
Tarr brilliantly met a corner kick that hit the back post, but one second before that, Gil hit Anton and fell to the floor. Referee Jalal Jade, who watched the incident on the VAR monitor, ruled there had been a foul on the keeper. The South Americans then defeated Germany 4-3 in a terrifying penalty shootout, before Germany was eliminated on penalties.
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Former referee Darren Cann, who works as a referee analyst for the BBC, felt the call was lenient, saying: “In my opinion it’s lenient, but judging from what I’ve seen in the tournament so far, I wouldn’t be surprised if they ruled it out.”
“Recently I’ve seen a couple of goals canceled for very small attacks. This is almost nothing. There was a small block on the keeper, which for me is not enough. But I think they will rule this out because of the goalkeeper’s block. We’ll see.”
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A furious Shearer responded: “Well, Anton nudged him a little bit, but it’s just a question of whether that’s enough to convince the referee that he’s got a big enough block to take this out. VAR thinks so. I don’t think so. I don’t agree with that decision at all.”
“The keeper knows he got the slightest touch, and he goes to the ground too easily. Yes, there is contact, but this is a contact sport, and there are 13 or 14 bodies in and around the six-yard box. The keeper knows he gets a touch, and the keeper buys it. That doesn’t apply to me. I don’t agree with that.”
Describing the decision as “pathetic” and watching Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann receive a warning for protesting, Shearer added: “Very, very soft. Very soft. I don’t blame him at all (Nagelsmann is shown a yellow, I don’t agree with that).”
“Yes, there was a little touch, but it wasn’t enough to make the 6-foot-5 goalkeeper fall like that. He had the referee and he had VAR. I’m really surprised.”
Nagelsmann was furious when the goal was canceled out (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
If Tarr’s header had been scored, they would have advanced to the round of 32 after extra time. Instead, they were taken to a penalty shootout.
Germany are usually unbeatable from spot-kicks, but they were defeated by Kai Havertz, Nico Waltemade and Tarr, who were rocked on the line from 12 yards.
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