Jonathan Tah’s headed goal for Germany against Paraguay in extra-time of their last-32 World Cup tie was controversially ruled out after a VAR review.
With the score 1-1 after 90 minutes, Germany defender Tah rose highest at the back post to brilliantly head home.
However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) referral for a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill by Waldemar Anton. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed was sent to the screen and announced to the crowd that a foul had been committed.
Anton was adjudged to have blocked Gill before Tah headed the ball in, but ex-England captain Alan Shearer, commentating for the BBC, believed the foul was “very, very soft.”
“Not for me, I don’t agree with that decision at all,” he said.
“He falls to the ground far too easy. Yes, there’s contact, but it’s a contact sport. There are 13 bodies in the six-yard box, not for me.
“I don’t agree with that. The ‘keeper buys it [the contact]. Very, very soft, that is, very soft.”
Former World Cup final assistant referee Darren Cann agreed with Shearer’s assessment.
“This is soft but it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s ruled out,” he said. “This is hardly anything – a small block on the goalkeeper, I suspect it’s for a block on the goalkeeper.”
As such, the score remained 1-1 with the last-32 tie heading for a penalty shoot-out in Boston.
