World Cup 2018: Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri says VAR not needed for Steven Zuber’s ‘normal challenge’ on Miranda

Xherdan Shaqiri has insisted that Steven Zuber’s goal should not have been referred to VAR in Switzerland’s 1-1 draw with Brazil, despite an apparent push on Miranda. The Stoke City attacker, who curled in the corner for a surprisingly easy goal, said it was a “normal challenge”.

Miranda did seem to go over on little contact, with that fragility reflective of an underwhelming Brazilian display, as Zuber himself made amends for the header that led to Philippe Coutinho’s opener in Rostov.

“I saw it but it is too much to say it's a foul in every game you have some little touches, this is football,” Shaqiri said. “You cannot stay without little touches, yes many pushes are a foul, this is a normal challenge in a corner and for me is no foul. It was important to keep not only Neymar quiet. They have a lot of players in their squad and we played very well in defence.”