India, July 1 -- FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina has defended the controversial decision to rule out Germany's extra-time goal against Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, insisting that attacking players who deliberately obstruct defenders or goalkeepers will be punished if they prevent opponents from defending.

Germany thought they had found the decisive breakthrough when Jonathan Tah headed home during extra time, only for the goal to be disallowed after a VAR review. Officials ruled that Waldemar Anton had fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up by obstructing him inside the penalty area. The decision proved to be one of the defining moments of the knockout clash, with Germany eventually losing the m...