Germany were left furious after VAR controversially disallowed an extra-time goal against Paraguay – and the decision proved so divisive that even Alan Shearer voiced his outrage.
Shearer, on commentary duty for the BBC, branded the VAR ruling “pathetic” after Jonathan Tah’s header was chalked off. The Bayern Munich defender’s effort was ruled out after Germany’s Waldemar Anton was adjudged to have obstructed Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
A corner delivered to the back post was met with a powerful header from Tah, but a second earlier, Gill had brushed against Anton and gone to ground. Having reviewed the incident on the VAR monitor, referee Jalal Jayed concluded that a foul on the keeper had been committed – Germany subsequently crashed out of the World Cup on penalties, with the South Americans winning 4-3 in the shootout.
Former referee Darren Cann, serving as an analyst for the BBC, considered the call to be lenient, saying: “This is soft in my opinion, but judging by what we’ve seen in the tournament so far, it wouldn’t surprise me if they do rule it out.
“We’ve seen two or three goals ruled out recently for very small offences. This is hardly anything. There’s a small block on the keeper. For me it’s not enough. But I suspect they will be ruling this out for a block on the goalkeeper which we’ll see.”
A furious Shearer then replied: “Well 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.
“The keeper knows he’s had a slight touch and falls to the ground far too easy. Yes there’s contact but this is a contact sport and there’s 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.”
After branding the decision “pathetic” and watching Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann receive a booking for his protests, Shearer added: “Very, very soft that is. Very Soft. I don’t blame him at all [Nagelsmann is shown a yellow. I don’t agree with it.
“Yes there’s a little touch but not enough to make the 6ft 5in goalkeeper fall down like that. He’s had the referee and he’s had VAR. I’m really surprised.”
Had Tah’s header been allowed to stand, Germany would have secured their place in the round of 32 after extra-time. Instead, the match was decided by a penalty shootout.
Germany are renowned for their composure from the spot, yet they were ultimately undone after Kai Havertz, Nico Woltemade and Tah all failed to convert from 12 yards.
It means that Paraguay have progressed through to the last 16 and are due to face either France or Sweden in the next round.