Ilkay Gundogan believes the referees got a call wrong in extra time that cost Germany the chance to win and advance to the round of 16.
In the first period of extra time, Jonathan Tah put the ball in the back of the net to give Germany the lead over Paraguay.
However, the goal was ruled out after the video assistant referee (VAR) determined that Paraguay’s goalkeeper, Orlando Gill, was fouled by Germany’s Waldemar Anton.
Ilkay Gundogan calls out controversial VAR call during Germany’s World Cup loss to Paraguay
Former Germany and Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan took to X to share his frustration over Germany’s performance against Paraguay.
While he admitted that Germany didn’t play well, Gundogan was shocked to see such a soft foul given by VAR. He remarked that this decision would not have occurred in the Premier League
“There’s definitely no point in sugarcoating today’s team performance… But what kind of VAR decision was that?
“In the Premier League, they’d just laugh it off – especially reversing a decision. Of course, it was also incredibly disappointing. Unfortunately, the team itself failed to impress for the full 120 minutes…”
Gundogan wasn’t the only former player critical of this decision, as this situation has sparked a lot of debate about how effective VAR can be at the World Cup.
Alan Shearer slams ‘soft’ VAR call against Germany
On the BBC broadcast of the FIFA World Cup, Newcastle and England legend Alan Shearer slammed this decision to rule out Tah’s goal.
“He falls to the ground far too easily. 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.”
This VAR decision is bound to be the subject of immense scrutiny in the days to come, as it cost Germany the chance to advance further in the knockout stages.
Germany have not won a knockout stage game since their 1-0 win over Argentina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, having suffered greatly since they last lifted the trophy.
Read more:
