After Germany’s defeat in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup, former captain Ilkay Gundogan criticized the VAR decision and the team’s performance. Germany had a goal canceled out in extra time, after which the team lost to Paraguay on penalties.
Following his team’s defeat to Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup round of 32, former Germany and Manchester City legend Ilkay Gundogan questioned the controversial VAR decision that disallowed a winning goal for the four-time champions. Additionally, he also expressed disappointment over the overall performance of the team.
VAR snatches victory, Germany loses on penalties
The score was tied at 1–1 after extra time, and Germany thought they had booked their place in the round of 16 when Tah scored with a header from a corner in the 101st minute of extra time. However, after a VAR review, referee Jalal Zayed disallowed the goal, ruling that Germany defender Waldemar Anton had obstructed Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gil while the goal was being scored. The match went to penalties, where Paraguay emerged victorious 5–3, continuing the four-time world champions’ run of bad luck in major tournaments since winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Gundogan vented his anger on social media
Posting on his ex, Gundogan said, “Today’s team performance certainly doesn’t need to be described as superior in any way… but what kind of poor VAR decision was that? In the Premier League, they just give a tired smile at this kind of thing – especially when a decision is overturned. Of course, this was also hugely disappointing. Unfortunately, we failed to prove ourselves in 120 minutes… #GERPAR #FIFAWorldCup.” Today’s team performance definitely does not require any criticism… But was it too late for a VAR decision? In the Premier League one would only read this – especially a decision to withdraw. Naturally but also so brutally disappointing. Leider hat man… — Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) June 29, 2026
Shameful records registered in the name of Germany
According to Optazo, this was only Germany’s second defeat on penalties in a major international tournament. The first defeat was against Czechoslovakia (5–3) in the final of the 1976 UEFA European Championship.
After winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Germany have now suffered two consecutive group stage exits in 2018 and 2022 and are out in the round of 32 in the current tournament.
This result is one of the biggest knockout upsets in modern World Cup history. Germany entered the tournament ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Paraguay was ranked 41st, a difference of 31 places.
Since 1994, only three World Cup knockout eliminations have seen a larger ranking gap than this: Spain’s loss to Russia in 2018 (60 place), Italy’s loss to South Korea in 2002 (34 place), and Spain’s quarter-final exit to South Korea in 2002 (32 place). (ANI)
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