Germany took an early lead in their third group stage match at the World Cup against Ecuador with a contentious goal that has raised questions and drawn strong reactions.
In just the second minute of play, Leroy Sané scored to make it 1-0 for the DFB team, converting a pass from Florian Wirtz. Aleksandar Pavlović was also involved in the buildup, initially controlling the ball with his chest and then bringing it down with a high foot. In the process, he struck Ecuador’s Pedro Vite on the head.
Despite vehement protests from the Ecuadorian players, American referee Tori Penso allowed the goal. This decision surprised former Bundesliga referee Lutz Wagner, who described it as «a very brave decision» on ARD. He further expressed his astonishment that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene for a review, stating, «I am very surprised that there was no objection from the VAR.»
Gräfe on the Build-up to Sané’s Goal: ‘This decision is, of course, a joke’
«We couldn’t have complained if this goal had been disallowed,» Wagner concluded. Former referee Manuel Gräfe was even more outspoken in Bild, saying, «This decision is, of course, a joke. In our favor, we are happy about it, but objectively we have to say: this is not acceptable.»
He stated that there was «clear foul play.» Ecuador’s coach, Sebastián Beccacece, gestured animatedly on the sidelines, but his players were unfazed by the officiating error, equalizing in the ninth minute through Nilson Angulo to make it 1-1.