Germany is out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to Paraguay in a penalty shootout. The match was rocked by a huge VAR controversy after Jonathan Tah’s extra-time goal was disallowed. Former England star Alan Shearer has slammed the referee’s decision.
Houston: Germany has crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup even before the pre-quarterfinals. They lost to Paraguay in a tense penalty shootout. The match was tied 1-1 after regular and extra time. But the real drama happened in extra time when a goal by Jonathan Tah was cancelled after a VAR check, leaving the German camp absolutely furious.
Everyone thought Tah had put Germany ahead with a header. But just before the goal, the VAR team found that German player Waldemar Anton had fouled the Paraguay goalkeeper, Orlando Gill. The Moroccan referee, Jalal Jayed, went to the video screen to check for himself and then disallowed the goal.
Shearer Slams the Decision
Former England captain Alan Shearer came out strongly against the referee’s call. He bluntly said it was a “very soft” foul and that he just couldn’t agree with the decision. “When there are 13 players inside the penalty box, you can’t call such light contacts a foul. The goalkeeper went down way too easily,” Shearer told the BBC. Meanwhile, former World Cup assistant referee Darren Cann commented that such decisions often tend to go in the goalkeeper’s favour.
Penalty Heartbreak
Germany were the favourites in the shootout, but things went wrong. Kai Havertz, Niclas Völtemede, and Jonathan Tah all missed their spot-kicks. On the other side, Paraguay also missed two penalties, but they managed to clinch the win with a 4-3 scoreline.
This exit is being seen as one of the biggest embarrassments in German football history. Fans also believe that the referee’s controversial decision completely changed the course of the match and robbed Germany of a potential victory.