VAR controversy as Leroy Sane opener for Germany against Ecuador in Group E match at 2026 FIFA World Cup allowed to stand - 'Do we need to see blood?'

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There was controversy surrounding the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) inside two minutes of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E match between Ecuador and Germany on Thursday, as Leroy Sane's goal was allowed to stand.

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The Galatasaray striker beat Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez to find the bottom corner from range following Florian Wirtz's pass.

But the South Americans were left fuming that the goal was not checked by VAR as it appeared Aleksandar Pavlovic made contact with Pedro Vite's head with a high foot.

Alan Shearer, on BBC commentary, was left bemused by the VAR's decision not to intervene and send American referee Tori Penso to the pitch-side monitor.

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"Ecuador players have surrounded the referee," said Shearer directly after Sane's goal. "They want a free-kick for that. His foot is high and it does scratch his head, so there's no doubt they'll look at it.

"When I first saw it, I didn't think there was any contact. I know the boot was high. But having seen it again, I do think there's a clip on his face there, just a little scratch, which I would have thought would have been enough to rule it out.

"Just on the way down I think he clips him."

And at half-time, former England international Joe Hart said he "couldn't believe" there was no VAR intervention.

"There's been a lot going on, hasn't there? But the high boot has got us talking in the studio. It feels like he is endangering an opponent," said Hart.

"Once Pavlovic brings the foot above eye level, Ecuador stop, and he does catch him [the defender]. In our opinion, that is a foul, and we couldn't believe it didn't go through to VAR."

According to IFAB's Football Rules a direct free-kick should be awarded for "playing dangerously and making contact with an opponent, e.g. high foot with contact".

The phrase "playing dangerously" is subsequently defined as the following:

"Playing dangerously is when a player attempts to play the ball and could injure someone [including the player themself] and/or prevents a nearby opponent from trying to play the ball for fear of getting injured. An overhead, bicycle or scissors kick is allowed if there is no danger to an opponent."

Even though former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann concurred with VAR Joe Dickerson's decision to leave the incident alone, ex-England international Ellen White was astounded by the call.

"My question would be how much contact is enough contact? Because it feels like you are endangering an opponent when your foot is that high and it has made contact with Vite's head," said White.

"Do we need to see blood or something for it to be endangering? There's also [Alan] Franco there that really moves out of the way as well. So yeah, I'm shocked that that wasn't reviewed and that that wasn't disallowed."

Ultimately, it mattered little as Ecuador emerged as shock 2-1 winners over Germany to reach the last 32 despite finishing third.

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