A major controversy erupted during the World Cup Round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay when a late extra-time goal by Jonathan Tah was disallowed following a VAR review. In the 102nd minute, Tah headed in a corner from Nathaniel Brown, but Moroccan referee Jalal Zayed overturned the goal after consulting the monitor. The decision, based on an alleged foul by German defender Waldemar Anton on Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gil, became a decisive moment in Germany’s elimination.

The ruling drew sharp criticism from several football figures. Former England captain Alan Shearer called it a “very soft foul,” while Denmark legend Peter Schmeichel described it as “painful.” German coach Jürgen Klopp argued that if such contact is a foul, many set-piece goals would be invalid. Refereeing analysts Patrick Ittrich and Thorsten Kinhöfer also questioned the VAR intervention, saying it was not a “clear and obvious error.”

Supporters of the referee’s decision cited IFAB rules, stating that obstructing a goalkeeper’s movement can constitute a foul. However, critics pointed to inconsistency, noting similar contacts were ignored earlier. Paraguay eventually won 4–3 in the penalty shootout to reach the quarterfinals.