FIFA defend disallowed Tah header as Nagelsmann calls Germany's World Cup exit a scandal

FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina has defended the VAR ruling that disallowed Germany’s stoppage-time winner against Paraguay, after Julian Nagelsmann’s side were eliminated from the World Cup on penalties in the round of 32.

Jonathan Tah appeared to have sent Germany into the last 16 with a late header, only for the referee to be directed to the pitchside monitor. The goal was ruled out after defender Waldemar Anton was judged to have impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, a decision that ultimately proved decisive as Germany — four-time world champions — lost the subsequent shootout, with Kai Havertz, Nico Woltemade and Tah himself all missing their kicks.

It was the first time Germany had ever been eliminated from a World Cup via a penalty shootout, and the result ended a tournament in which they had never previously lost a knockout-stage match on spot-kicks.

Nagelsmann was scathing in his post-match assessment. “It’s a scandal that he called that off. It’s a complete scandal,” the Germany head coach said. “There are games you have to win dirty. We would have won this one dirty.”

Collina responded with a written statement explaining the rationale behind the call. “Although keeping a position is not a foul per se, when an attacking player is not interested in the ball and deliberately moves, even marginally, with the clear intention of obstructing opponents’ movement and prevents him from defending, then referees, and VAR when needed, should carefully analyse the incident and intervene,” he said. “This is especially the case when the tactic aims to prevent the opposing goalkeeper from being able to defend the goal. Coaches and players were informed so it should come as no surprise that referees will punish these fouls.”

Despite the controversy surrounding his position, Nagelsmann insisted he has no intention of resigning. “I want to continue. I’m ready. But in football, you don’t have everything in your own hands,” he said. “If the DFB wants me to, I’d be very happy to prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League. If they don’t want me to, they have to tell me.”

Paraguay, recording their first ever knockout-stage victory at a World Cup, now advance to the round of 16, where they will face France.