FIFA disallowed goal Germany vs Paraguay after Jonathan Tah thought he had given Germany a 2-1 lead in extra time. The goal went after VAR told referee Jalal Jayed to rule it out, and Paraguay went on to win the last-32 match 4-3 on penalties.
Anton and Gill
Jayed ruled out the finish because Waldemar Anton was adjudged to have fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. The decision removed what would have been Germany’s lead and left the match level at 1-1 before the shootout.
Jonathan Tah also missed in the penalty shootout, firing over the bar. Jose Canale then scored the decisive kick for Paraguay, ending Germany’s run with their first loss in a World Cup penalty shootout as four-time winners.
Collina Defends VAR
Pierluigi Collina said referees had been told to punish incidents when players try to block opponents and make no attempt to play the ball, especially when goalkeepers are involved. He said, “Although keeping a position is not a foul per se, when an attacking player is not interested in the ball and deliberately moves, even marginally, with the clear intention of obstructing opponents' movement and prevents him from defending, then referees, and VAR when needed, should carefully analyse the incident and intervene,” and added, “This is especially the case when the tactic aims to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from being able to defend the goal.”
Collina also said, “Coaches and players were informed, so it should come as no surprise that referees will punish these fouls.” Julian Nagelsmann pushed back hard after Germany’s defeat, saying, “In my opinion, this foul was not a real foul; it was actually a joke that his goal was disallowed.”
Paraguay In Philadelphia
Paraguay’s reward is a last 16 match against France in Philadelphia on Saturday at 22:00 BST. Germany leave with a 1-1 draw, a disallowed extra-time goal, and a shootout defeat that turned on one VAR intervention and one missed spot-kick.
