Keith Hackett lashes out at VAR as Jamal Musiala 'out of control' in Germany vs Paraguay controversy

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala should have been sent off during Germany's 2026 World Cup defeat to Paraguay.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that his challenge "born of frustration" deserved to be punished accordingly.

Musiala has been the poster boy for the Bundesliga giants over the last six seasons in Germany, but he was anything but at the Boston Stadium on Monday, 29 June.

Having come on as a second-half substitute, the 23-year-old was fortunate not to leave the pitch early after a continued altercation with Matias Galarza.

The two had already clashed when Musiala flew into his challenge in the 115th minute, leaving his opponent in a lot of pain, prompting some serious reactions from commentators and pundits.

Footage of his late tackle is now going viral on social media, and one FIFA referee has chosen to blame VAR for the missed red card on this occasion.

Jamal Musiala's day could have gone from bad to worse

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett voiced his disappointment at the incident, stating that the Bayern star should never have stayed on the pitch.

"Serious foul play is when a tackle or challenge endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality, which must be sanctioned," he said.

"Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty.

"When you read the law, I am satisfied that Musiala should have received a red card for this challenge. There was malice born of frustration.

"There was clearly excessive force that endangered his opponent, and Musiala was out of control when he made the lunge.

"This should have resulted in a red card. I'm disappointed that VAR failed to intervene."

How Germany were stunned at the 2026 World Cup

Julian Nagelsmann's men have looked shaky in the opening games of the World Cup, even despite their impressive win over Curacao and comeback win over Ivory Coast.

Ecuador deserved all three points from their group stage clash, and Paraguay earned their spot in the next round after the 1-1 draw in normal time.

Although Kai Havertz equalised very early on in the second half, the Germans never looked like going on to win the game, being frustrated by Paraguay's set-up.

Emotions were clearly bubbling over when Musiala launched into his challenge, and the referee really could have rubbed salt into the wounds.

And Hackett clearly feels that salt should have been rubbed into German wounds.