FIFA Defends VAR Decision To Disallow Germany’s Extra-Time Goal Against Paraguay

The incident occurred deep into extra time with the score locked at 1-1. Germany defender Jonathan Tah appeared to have secured a dramatic 2-1 lead when he turned the ball into the net from close range.

However, following a video assistant referee review, Iranian official Jalal Jayed disallowed the goal after determining that Germany forward Waldemar Anton had committed a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up.

The match ultimately finished 1-1 after 120 minutes, and Paraguay progressed to the last 16 with a 4-3 victory in the ensuing penalty shootout. Tah, who had been denied his extra-time winner, saw his spot-kick sail over the crossbar, allowing Paraguay’s Jose Canale to step up and convert the decisive penalty that sealed Germany’s fate.

The defeat carried particular historical weight for the four-time world champions. It marked Germany’s first-ever loss in a World Cup penalty shootout, ending a perfect record that had previously seen them prevail in all four of their previous shootouts at the finals—most notably against Argentina in the 2006 quarter-finals and France in the 1982 semi-finals.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann did not hide his frustration in the immediate aftermath of the match. Speaking to reporters, he said: “In my opinion, this foul was not a real foul; it was actually a joke that his goal was disallowed. The decision completely changed the momentum of the game and ultimately cost us the tie. I cannot understand how VAR can intervene for something so minimal.”

However, FIFA’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, has robustly defended the decision, insisting that the officiating team applied a pre-tournament directive correctly.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Collina explained that officials had been instructed to punish any incident where an attacking player deliberately obstructs an opponent—particularly a goalkeeper—without making a genuine attempt to play the ball.

“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,” Collina said.

He added: “This is especially the case when the tactic aims to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from being able to defend the goal. Coaches and players were informed, so it should come as no surprise that referees will punish these fouls. The decision made by the referee on the pitch, supported by VAR, was entirely consistent with the guidance provided before the tournament began.”

Collina’s remarks suggest that FIFA views the ruling as a straightforward application of existing laws, rather than a controversial interpretation. The governing body has in recent years sought to clamp down on blocking tactics during set-pieces and open play, particularly when they impede a goalkeeper’s ability to react to shots or crosses.

For Paraguay, the victory sets up a daunting last-16 encounter against two-time world champions France, scheduled for Saturday at 22:00 local time in Philadelphia.

La Albirroja will take confidence from their resilience in overcoming the four-time champions, while Germany must now confront an early exit that will inevitably invite scrutiny over Nagelsmann’s tactical approach and the squad’s ability to execute in high-pressure moments.

The decision to disallow Tah’s goal will continue to generate debate among fans and pundits, but FIFA’s swift and unequivocal defence of the ruling suggests that the interpretation will remain a guiding principle for referees throughout the remainder of the tournament.

As the knockout rounds intensify, both players and coaches will now be acutely aware that any attempt to obstruct a goalkeeper, no matter how marginal, carries significant risk of VAR intervention and potentially match-altering consequences.