To nobody’s great surprise, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann had no qualms over two exceptionally tight video review calls in his side’s 2-0 Euro 2024 last-16 win over Denmark.
His Danish counterpart Kasper Hjulmand, on the other hand, was less satisfied.
“It’s a disgrace,” Hjulmand blasted after his side’s fate was all-but-sealed by controversial video intervention.
“It is just a ridiculous two calls which are decisive for the match.”
A torrential downpour and thunderstorm caused a 30-minute delay in the first half, before VAR ruled out Joachim Andersen’s opener for Denmark in the second period because teammate Thomas Delaney’s toe was offside.
Germany were awarded a penalty for a debatable handball by Andersen soon after – again after VAR intervention – and Kai Havertz made it 1-0.
Jamal Musiala extended the lead in the second half, while Germany also had two ‘goals’ chalked off by the officials.
“It was a very, very tight offside,” Nagelsmann said to broadcaster ZDF about the Delaney offside.
“But VAR has been around for quite a bit, it makes the sport fairer. It is worked out by a computer.”
Naglesmann did not comment on the handball, but Andersen – whose side lost in the semi-finals to England at the last Euros after a controversial penalty – was furious after being penalised for handling David Raum’s cross.
“It’s crazy, there’s not the slightest hint of a penalty,” Andersen told TV2.
“He’s half a metre away from me and smashes the ball into my hand, so I don’t know what else to do.”
Many pundits across Europe criticised the penalty award – even Germans.
“I would have been so disappointed. I can see why Joachim Andersen’s arm is in this position, and it is the slightest touch – it is incredibly unlucky,” former Germany defender Robert Huth told the BBC.
Many also felt the offside, triggered by a newly introduced semi-automatic system, was too obscure.
“When the offside is that tight, I don’t know why it is being looked at,” Tottenham’s Australian coach Ange Postecoglu told British broadcaster ITV.
Despite his anger over the game-changing decisions, Hjulmand accepted defeat to a Germany side who will next face Spain or Georgia.
“In recent years, we have shown we are close to the big teams,” he said.
“There’s just one thing that’s lacking – we need to create and take more chances.”