Germany was furious after a controversial extra-time goal against Paraguay was disallowed by VAR. And the decision proved to be extremely divisive, with even Alan Shearer voicing his anger.
BBC commentator Shearer slammed VAR’s decision as “pathetic” after Jonathan Tarr’s header was ruled out due to chalk. Germany’s Waldemar Anton was adjudged to have interfered with Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gil, and the Bayern Munich defender’s shot was ruled out.
A corner kick was sent to the back post and Tarr hit a powerful header, but a second before that, Gil had grazed Anton and fallen to the ground. After reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor, referee Jalal Jade concluded that there had been a foul on the keeper. Germany was then eliminated from the World Cup in a penalty shootout, which the South American team won 4-3.
Darren Cann, a BBC analyst and former referee, thought the decision was lenient, saying: “It’s lenient in my opinion, 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.”
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 manager Julian Nagelsmann receive a warning for protesting, Shearer added: “Very, very soft. Very soft. I don’t blame him (Nagelsmann) at all. I don’t agree with that.”
“Yes, there was a little touch, but it wasn’t enough to make the 6ft 5in goalkeeper fall like that. He had the referee and he had VAR. I’m really surprised.”
Had Tarr’s header been allowed, Germany would have advanced to the last 32 after extra time. Instead, the match was decided by a penalty shootout.
Germany are famous for their composure from the spot, but they ultimately fell apart as Kai Havertz, Nico Waltemade and Tarr all failed to shoot from 12 yards.
This means Paraguay will advance to the last 16 and face either France or Sweden in the next round.
