Schmeichel says VAR got it wrong as Germany crash out of World Cup against Paraguay

Germany’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the round of 32, with the result overshadowed by a disallowed extra-time goal that has divided opinion among pundits. Defender Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner kick in the first half of extra time to put Germany 2-1 ahead, only for VAR to overturn the goal after ruling that Waldemar Anton had fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Germany ultimately lost the shootout 4-3, with Tah himself missing a penalty before Paraguay’s José Canale converted the decisive kick.

The call drew an immediate and pointed response from former Denmark and Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who was analysing the match between the extra-time periods. “I don’t think it’s a foul,” Schmeichel said. “I actually don’t think Anton did anything. He’s just there. The goalkeeper runs straight into him, and I think they got that wrong.”

Not everyone on the panel agreed. Former Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel argued that Anton’s positioning was the key issue, pointing out that the player was not tracking the ball. “I think it’s a foul,” Mikel said. “For me, when he impeded the goalkeeper, you can see the goalkeeper has his eyes on the ball all the way through and the player’s just standing there. He’s not thinking about the ball. He’s not looking at the ball. To me, it looks a bit soft. But I think the referee has made the right decision.”

Former United States forward Clint Dempsey sided with Schmeichel, offering a pointed summary of his reasoning. “When you’ve got a goalkeeper who is a part of the goalkeeper union who says it’s not a foul, then it’s not a foul,” Dempsey said.

The disallowed goal proved pivotal. With the score level, Germany were unable to recreate a comparable chance to take the lead in the remaining minutes of extra time, and the match went to penalties. The defeat represents one of the most significant upsets in men’s World Cup history, eliminating a four-time world champion at the round of 32 stage.