The harshest of VAR interventions denied Germany a potentially winning goal against Paraguay, led to both coaches receiving yellow cards and left this observer perplexed.
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill was briefly impeded by Waldemar Anton but contact in such circumstances is commonplace. In real time, the referee saw nothing wrong and all the players were lined up for the restart when the VAR decided to recommend a review.
Players are entitled to their space on the field and getting in an opponent’s way is not an offence in itself. In this context, there would have to be clear evidence that the block had a meaningful impact on the keeper’s ability to play or challenge for the ball.
Sure, you can build a thin case that Anton was guilty, and VARs would not intervene if a free kick were awarded on field.
But video review was introduced to correct obvious errors, not re-referee marginal calls, and the goal should have been allowed to stand.
