VAR Controversy Eliminates Germany from 2026 World Cup vs Paraguay
In a 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match, Germany’s extra-time goal by Jonathan Tah was disallowed after VAR review ruled Waldemar Anton fouled Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill. The decision sparked outrage from German coach Julian Nagelsmann and pundits like Alan Shearer, while FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina defended it. The match ended 1-1, with Paraguay winning 4-3 on penalties, eliminating Germany.
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Fifa Defends Decision to Disallow Germany's Extra-Time Goal Against Paraguay
Fifa's referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina has explained the controversial decision to rule out Germany's extra-time goal in their World Cup last-32 match against Paraguay. Defender Jonathan Tah thought he had given Germany a 2-1 lead, but VAR intervened after Waldemar Anton was judged to have fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill by obstructing him without attempting to play the ball. The match finished 1-1, and Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties, with Tah missing the decisive spot-kick. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann called the decision 'a joke', but Collina stated that coaches and players were briefed before the tournament that such blocking tactics, especially against goalkeepers, would be punished. Paraguay advances to face France in the last 16.
BBC SportFIFA explains decision to disallow Germany's extra-time goal against Paraguay at 2026 World Cup
FIFA has defended the controversial VAR decision to disallow Germany's extra-time goal against Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup round of 32. Germany's Jonathan Tah thought he had scored a 2-1 lead, but referee Jalal Jayed, after VAR review, ruled it out because Waldemar Anton fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann called the decision 'a joke.' FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina explained that coaches and players had been pre-tournament briefed that referees would punish blocking tactics, especially when goalkeepers are impeded. The match ended 1-1, and Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties. Dale Johnson, BBC football issues correspondent, noted the decision appeared 'soft' and that similar incidents in the Premier League might not trigger VAR. Paraguay will face France in the last 16.
BBC Sport2026 World Cup: FIFA Referee Chief Collina Rejects Nagelsmann's 'Scandal' Claim Over Disallowed Germany Goal
In a heated aftermath of Germany's Round of 16 elimination by Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA's head of referees Pierluigi Collina has publicly contradicted German national coach Julian Nagelsmann's claim that the disallowed extra-time goal by Jonathan Tah was a 'full scandal.' Collina issued an official FIFA statement defending referee Jalal Jayed's decision, stating that players and coaches were pre-warned that such blocking tactics would be penalized. The controversial incident occurred in the 102nd minute when Tah headed in from a corner, but the goal was overturned after a VAR review for an offensive foul. Nagelsmann had fiercely criticized the call, calling it a 'farce.' However, Collina explained that attacking players who deliberately impede defenders without playing the ball should expect intervention. BILD's own refereeing expert, Manuel Gräfe, sided with Nagelsmann, arguing the Paraguayan defender embellished contact and that the decision was 'unacceptable.' The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over officiating standards at the tournament.
BILD - SportFIFA Defends Controversial VAR Call That Eliminated Germany from World Cup
FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina issued a statement defending the VAR decision to disallow Germany's late winning goal against Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32. The goal by Jonathan Tah was overturned after defender Waldemar Anton was deemed to have impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann called the decision a 'scandal' and his team was subsequently eliminated on penalties, marking Germany's first World Cup penalty shootout loss. Collina explained that deliberate obstruction of the goalkeeper, even if marginal, should be punished. Paraguay advanced to face France in the round of 16. Nagelsmann stated he wants to continue as coach but acknowledged his future depends on the German Football Association (DFB).
Mirror - FootballWorld Cup Controversy: Referee Boss Collina Contradicts Nagelsmann on Disallowed Goal
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Germany and Paraguay, an extra-time goal by Jonathan Tah was disallowed after a VAR review for a potential foul. Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann called the decision a 'total scandal'. However, FIFA's referee chief Pierluigi Collina has publicly contradicted Nagelsmann, stating that referees have been instructed to penalize attacking players who deliberately impede defenders without playing the ball. Collina backed the decision as correct under these guidelines. BILD's referee expert Manuel Gräfe criticized the decision, arguing there was no clear foul. The incident has sparked a major debate in German football media.
BILD - SportFIFA Referee Chief Defends Decision to Disallow Germany Goal Against Paraguay
FIFA's chief referee Pierluigi Collina has publicly defended the controversial decision to disallow Jonathan Tah's stoppage-time goal for Germany in their World Cup Round of 16 loss to Paraguay. Tah had headed what appeared to be the go-ahead goal in extra time, but the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened, citing a push by German defender Waldemar Anton on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Referee Jalal Jayed reviewed the play and disallowed the goal. Collina, in a FIFA post, stated that coaches and players had been warned about such tactics—specifically attackers obstructing goalkeepers—so the decision should not be a surprise. The article highlights sharp divides: German referee experts Patrick Ittrich and Thorsten Kinhöfer, along with national coach Julian Nagelsmann, strongly criticized the call as a 'scandal,' while former English referee Mark Clattenburg agreed with the foul. Collina did not name Anton but included a photo highlighting the contact.
Nachrichten - WELTFIFA Referee Chief Collina Defends Disallowed Germany Goal Against Paraguay
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has defended the controversial decision to disallow Jonathan Tah's stoppage-time goal for Germany in their World Cup round of 16 loss to Paraguay. The goal was overturned after VAR review determined that German defender Waldemar Anton pushed Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Collina, writing in a FIFA piece, stated that referees were instructed to penalize attacking players who deliberately hinder defenders, especially goalkeepers, even with slight movements. The decision sparked outrage in Germany, with national coach Julian Nagelsmann calling it a 'total scandal' and German referee experts Patrick Ittrich and Thorsten Kinhöfer arguing it was normal contact. However, former English referee Mark Clattenburg supported the call as a clear foul. The match ended Germany's World Cup campaign.
Nachrichten - WELTGoalkeeper Protection Or Soft Call: Anatomy of Disallowed Goal in Germany vs Paraguay World Cup 2026
Germany were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a highly controversial disallowed goal in extra time against Paraguay. In the 102nd minute, with the score 1-1, Germany's Waldemar Anton made contact with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill during a corner kick, pushing him to the ground. Jonathan Tah then scored a header. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed, after VAR review, overturned the goal for obstruction, ruling that Anton's contact hindered the goalkeeper. Germany eventually lost 3-4 in a penalty shootout. Former England striker Alan Shearer criticized the decision as too soft, while German manager Julian Nagelsmann called it 'a complete joke'. The decision sparked debate over the balance between physical play and goalkeeper protection in soccer.
Yardbarker: SoccerVAR Controversy Costs Germany in World Cup Loss to Paraguay on Penalties
Germany's potential winning goal in extra time against Paraguay was controversially disallowed by VAR after referee Jalal Jayed ruled that German player Waldemar Anton had fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. The decision sparked outrage from pundits and coaches. Alan Shearer called the call 'terrible' and said the goalkeeper 'conned the referee'. Jurgen Klopp noted that similar goals are routinely allowed for Arsenal. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann described the decision as 'a joke' and was shown a yellow card for protesting. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Paraguay winning 4-3 on penalties to advance to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
BBC SportVAR Controversially Disallows Germany's Extra-Time Goal Against Paraguay
During a 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Germany and Paraguay, Germany's Jonathan Tah scored what appeared to be a winning goal in extra time. However, the goal was controversially disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after a review determined that German defender Waldemar Anton committed a foul on Paraguay's goalkeeper, Orlando Gill. The decision was met with criticism, described as a 'terrible decision' by observers. The match report is published by BBC Sport, highlighting the ongoing debate around VAR's impact on crucial tournament moments. The article includes a video clip of the incident, though it is only available to UK users.
BBC Sport