Celebrations were wild when Germany thought it had gained a 2-1 lead in extra time on a header from Bayern Munich center-back Jonathan Tah.
After the jubilation and as players lined up to kick off the final minutes of the match, VAR intervened and would influence the referee to wave off the goal — a decision that did not go over well with many fans and a few pundits as well.
The Athletic checked in with referee correspondent Graham Scott, who disagreed with the call:
Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill was briefly impeded by Germany’s Waldemar Anton but contact in such circumstances is commonplace.
In real time, the referee saw nothing wrong and all the players were lined up for the restart when the VAR decided to recommend a review.
Players are entitled to their space on the field and getting in an opponent’s way is not an offence in itself.
In this context, there would have to be clear evidence that the block had a meaningful impact on the keeper’s ability to play or challenge for the ball.
Sure, you can build a thin case that Anton was guilty, and VARs would not intervene if a free kick were awarded on field. But video review was introduced to correct obvious errors, not re-referee marginal calls.
📝@Refsplaining
Jan Aage Fjørtoft checked in and said it was a “dive” by Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill:
The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie chimed in as well:
To make matters worse, if this truly is the account of FIFA VAR official Eduardo Galván Basulto, a Mexican official, it indicates the decision was wrong as well:
They disallowed a totally valid goal against Germany. There is no type of foul whatsoever: every player has the right to occupy their space on the playing field and, in this action, the German player does not commit holding, pushing, or any infraction.
Incorrect refereeing decision. ❌ Poor intervention by the VAR and the referee in signaling a nonexistent foul.
For there to be an obstruction, the German player would have to move from point A to point B with the sole purpose of blocking the opponent’s advance, without any intention of contesting the ball. In this action, that doesn’t happen: he simply occupies his space legitimately and doesn’t commit holding, pushing, or any other infraction. Therefore, the goal should have been valid.
Tah, of course, would go on to later miss his penalty in the shootout, allowing Paraguay to walk away the victors.
What a turn of events for the defender.
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