Germany had a goal disallowed in their World Cup defeat to Paraguay, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hitting out at Arsenal's set-piece tactics in the aftermath
07:25, 30 Jun 2026
Jurgen Klopp looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp wasn't impressed Germany's goal was disallowed(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp took a veiled swipe at Arsenal following Germany's disallowed extra-time goal during their stunning World Cup elimination at the hands of Paraguay.
Julian Nagelsmann's team believed they had seized the advantage in the 116th minute in Boston as Jonathan Tah crashed home a header at the far post. However, after a VAR check, referee Jalal Jayed opted to chalk off the goal as Waldemar Anton was deemed to have committed a foul on goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up.
Anton seemed to make contact with Gil following a corner delivery into the area, leaving Tah unmarked to nod into the top corner. Yet Jayed felt Anton had impeded the Paraguay goalkeeper, leaving Germany incensed.
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Paraguay ultimately managed to cling on for a 1-1 draw after extra-time before prevailing 4-3 on penalties to advance to the Round of 16, eliminating four-time champions Germany in the process.
Speaking afterwards, former Liverpool boss Klopp offered his assessment on the contentious disallowed goal and suggested Arsenal "scored 60% of their goals that way" during their Premier League title triumph.
"If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won't be English champions," Klopp told MagentaTV. "They've scored 60% of their goals that way. We win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal."
MANSFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal walks over to take a corner kick during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Mansfield Town and Arsenal on March 07, 2026 in Mansfield, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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Arsenal have found success with set pieces(Image: Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
The Gunners netted 25 Premier League goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties) throughout their 2025/26 title-winning season, which represented the highest tally in the division. In doing so, Mikel Arteta's side established a new Premier League single-season record for the most goals netted from corners (19), with Gabriel Magalhaes (3) and Jurrien Timber (3) amongst those profiting.
However, throughout the campaign, Arsenal attracted criticism for the physical tactics they employed on corners, with goalkeepers frequently targeted as Arteta and set-piece coach Nicolas Jover attempted to extract maximum benefit.
Jonathan Tah heads to score the team's second goal later disallowed due to a foul committed by Waldemar Anton on Orlando Gill
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Jonathan Tah heads to score the team's second goal later disallowed due to a foul committed by Waldemar Anton on Orlando Gill(Image: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Klopp's criticism of Arsenal won't disguise the fact Germany have been knocked out of the World Cup at the last 32 stage, though, with Nagelsmann's side regarded as strong favourites to advance beforehand.
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Yet Paraguay, ranked 22 places beneath Germany in the FIFA World Rankings, shocked their European rivals. They had gone ahead through former Brighton and Ipswich man Julio Enciso in the first half, only for Arsenal's Kai Havertz to level after the interval.
Despite mounting pressure from Die Mannschaft, Paraguay held firm for penalties before edging through in the shootout to secure a tie against either France or Sweden next up.
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