Read 3 minutes1 July 2026 06:19 PM IST
Controversy erupted over Germany’s second goal against Paraguay in the round of 32, which could have been a possible winner, with FIFA now out and explaining the referee’s decision to call off the strike.
With the score tied 1-1 on Monday, German defender Jonathan Tah’s headed goal in extra time was disallowed after a VAR review for a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gil. Germany’s Waldemar Anton pushed Gil to the ground in the replay, but the decision was criticized for the lack of contact. Germany would eventually lose the match in a penalty shootouteliminating them from the competition.
“While maintaining a position is not wrong, when an attacking player has no interest in the ball and moves deliberately with the clear intention of obstructing the opponent’s movement and preventing him from defending, the referee and VAR must carefully analyze the incident and intervene especially to prevent a goal. Coaches and players were informed of this as they are capable of defending the goal, so it should not be surprising that the referee will punish this foul,” said FIFA’s head of referees Pierluigi Collina. said
The round of 32 exit against Paraguay was the latest in a long line of disappointing World Cup results. In Qatar in 2022, in a group that included Spain, Costa Rica and Japan, the Germans finished third and were eliminated. In Russia 2018, they finished last in a group consisting of South Korea, Sweden and Mexico and were eliminated.
On Tuesday, Jose Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gil made two key saves and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties to advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 2010 in the biggest upset ever at the 2026 World Cup.
Paraguay went ahead in regulation when Julio Enciso scored on a header late in the first half. Kai Havertz equalized for Germany in the 52nd minute.