Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports/REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Germany v Paraguay - Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S. - June 29, 2026 Germany's Jonathan Tah scores their second goal
The German National Team was sent packing on Monday by Paraguay in one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament so far. Germany was one of favorites in the tournament and nearly won outright in extra time before VAR disallowed a goal due to interference with the keeper.
Former German National Team and Premier League star İlkay Gündoğan was furious with the VAR decision. Jonathan Tah’s header would have handed Germany the win in extra time advancing them to the World Cup Round of 16. Instead, the match went to penalty shots and Paraguay prevailed.
İlkay Gündoğan Furious Over VAR Decision That Bounced Germany From World Cup
Monday’s round of 32 elimination action got off to a hot start with Japan giving Brazil a scare. Japan was leading 1-0 until the 56th minute when Casemiro tied it up. Then in the 95th minute (extra time) Martinelli put the game winner in the back of the net to avoid the upset.
Flash forward to the next match of the day, Germany vs Paraguay, where the Germans where overwhelming favorites to win. Paraguay opened scoring in the 42nd minute but Germany quickly tied it up after the break in the 54th minute after a goal from Kai Havertz. Then things got dicey with no scoring and the match going to extra time.
Here is the controversial moment where the German player makes the slightest bit of contact with the Paraguayan keeper which led to the would-be match winning goal getting overturned by VAR.
Weak. Goalkeepers are Fabergé eggs. pic.twitter.com/UMXPFi0Uua
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) June 29, 2026
Afterward, İlkay Gündoğan took to X and said “today’s team performance definitely doesn’t need any sugarcoating… But what the hell was that VAR decision?” He went on to add “in the Premier League, they’d just give a weary smile over something like that – especially taking back a decision. Of course, it was brutally disappointing too. Unfortunately, we failed to convince over 120 minutes ourselves.”
In the replies to that video above shared by Alexi Lalas, it is clear the Paraguayan fans (and/or Germany haters) were out in full force. They wanted the full letter of the law applied accurately and clearly. Which ultimately is what happened.
The point still stands though, if this was any league around the world and not the FIFA World Cup it is highly likely that VAR would not have intervened here. Furthermore, sticking it to Germany, the second-most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history, seems like a statement on behalf of FIFA that they won’t play favorites.
İlkay Gündoğan might not like the result. No German fan does. But ultimately the infringing player was not playing the ball when they made contact with the keeper and that’s what led to VAR intervening.