Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed frustration after Germany lost to Paraguay on penalties and were eliminated from the World Cup in the Round of 32.
Manager Jurgen Klopp after Germany’s loss to Paraguay (Image: Getty Images)
Manager Jurgen Klopp took subtle aim at Arsenal after a goal was disallowed in extra time during Germany’s shock World Cup defeat to Paraguay.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side thought they had taken the lead in the 116th minute in Boston when Jonathan Tarr headed home at the back post. However, a VAR review determined that Valdemar Anton had fouled goalkeeper Orlando Gil during the build-up, and referee Jalal Jade ruled the goal invalid.
After a corner kick into the box, Anton appeared to brush Gil away, but Tarr, who was there, was free and headed into the top corner. However, Jade felt that Anton fouled the Paraguayan shot-stopper, leaving Germany furious.
Paraguay held on to a 1-1 draw after extra time and won 4-3 on penalties to advance to the round of 16 and send home four-time champions Germany.
In his post-match press conference, former Liverpool manager Klopp delivered his verdict on the controversial canceled goal, insisting that Arsenal “scored 60 per cent of their goals that way” on their way to winning the Premier League.
“If the goal was illegal, Arsenal would no longer be champions of England,” Klopp told MagentaTV. “They score 60 percent of their goals that way. We win the game as soon as the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal.”
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have scored a number of goals from set-pieces (Image: Kevin Voigt/GettyImages)
The Gunners scored 25 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) in the Premier League during the title-winning 2025/26 season, the highest total in the division.
In the process, Mikel Arteta’s side set a new Premier League record for the most goals from corners (19), with Gabriel Magalhães (three) and Julian Timber (three) also benefiting.
But throughout the season, Arsenal faced criticism for the physical approach they adopted in the corners, with the goalkeeper often being targeted as Arteta and set-piece coach Nicolas Jobard sought to maximize their advantage.
Klopp’s criticism of Arsenal does not overshadow the fact that Germany were eliminated in the last 32 stage of the World Cup, but Nagelsmann’s side were emerging as favorites to progress ahead of the game.
But Paraguay, who sit 22 places below Germany in the FIFA world rankings, surprised their European opponents. They took the lead in the first half with a goal from former Brighton and Ipswich player Julio Enciso, but Arsenal’s Kai Havertz equalized after the break.
Despite increased pressure from Die Mannschaft, Paraguay held on and fought through the penalty shootout to secure a draw in their next match against France or Sweden.
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