Germany’s “extremely underwhelming” FIFA World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 32, but their elimination by Paraguay was overshadowed by a highly controversial VAR decision that drew widespread criticism from prominent football figures, including former captain Ilkay Gundogan, Jurgen Klopp, and Alan Shearer.
The decisive moment arrived in the 102nd minute of extra-time when Jonathan Tah appeared to score a dramatic winner. From an inswinging corner, Tah rose at the back post to power a header into the net, seemingly sending Germany through. However, VAR intervened, prompting a review that ultimately led to the goal being disallowed. The officials ruled that there was sufficient contact between Germany’s Waldemar Anton and the Paraguayan goalkeeper to constitute a foul, a decision that visibly frustrated Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was shown a yellow card.
The disallowed goal forced the tie into a penalty shootout, where Germany’s fortunes continued to dwindle. Jonathan Tah, the scorer of the disallowed goal, blazed his penalty effort over the bar, paving the way for Jose Canale to score the winning spot-kick for Paraguay, sealing Germany’s exit.
The contentious VAR call immediately ignited a furious debate, with many pointing to a perceived inconsistency in officiating standards compared to the Premier League. Ilkay Gundogan, a former Germany captain with 82 caps, took to X to voice his frustration.
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“Today’s team performance definitely doesn’t need any sugarcoating… But what the hell was that VAR decision?” Gundogan posted. “In the Premier League, they’d just give a weary smile over something like that – especially taking back a decision. Of course, it was brutally disappointing too. Unfortunately, we failed to convince over 120 minutes ourselves.”
Klopp and Shearer weigh in on the decision
The sentiment was echoed by Jurgen Klopp, who reportedly commented on German TV, drawing a direct comparison to English football’s top flight. “If that’s a disallowed goal, then Arsenal wouldn’t be English champions. They scored 60% of their goals like that,” Klopp stated, according to SportBible.
Former England international Alan Shearer, providing commentary on BBC coverage, also expressed his disbelief at the decision. “It was Anton that gives him a little nudge, and it’s just whether it’s enough to convince the referee that it’s a big enough block for him to rule this out. VAR thinks so. Not for me. I don’t agree with that decision at all,” Shearer remarked. He further elaborated, “The keeper knows he’s had a slight touch and falls to the ground far too easily. Yes, there’s contact, but this is a contact sport, and there are about 13 or 14 bodies in and around the six-yard box. The keeper knows he’s had the touch, and the keeper buys it. Not for me. I don’t agree with that.”
Shearer described the foul as “very, very soft” and defended Nagelsmann’s reaction, adding, “Yes there’s a little touch, but not enough to make the 6ft5 goalkeeper fall down like that. He’s had the referee, and he’s had VAR. I’m really surprised.”
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The controversy arises despite FIFA’s pre-tournament announcement of stricter rules regarding grappling and contact from set-pieces like corners. However, the application of these rules in Germany’s crucial World Cup encounter has left many questioning the consistency and interpretation of VAR at the highest level.
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