Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp questioned the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision that ruled out Jonathan Tah's extra-time goal during Germany's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 defeat to Paraguay. Speaking to German broadcaster Magenta TV, Klopp also took a dig at Premier League champions Arsenal, implying that many of their set-piece goals would have been disallowed under the same interpretation.
Klopp's Criticism and Arsenal Remark
"If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won't be English champions. They've scored 60 per cent of their goals that way," Klopp told MagentaTV after Germany's elimination.
Germany thought they had secured a place in the Round of 16 when Tah headed home from a corner in the 101st minute of extra time. However, following a VAR review, referee Jalal Jayed disallowed the goal after ruling that Germany defender Waldemar Anton had impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up.
Historical Context of the Defeat
The defeat marked Germany's earliest exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Paraguay progressed to the Round of 16. According to OptaJoe, it was only Germany's second defeat on penalties at a major international tournament, the first coming against Czechoslovakia in the 1976 UEFA European Championship final (5-3).
The result ranks among the biggest knockout upsets in modern World Cup history. Germany entered the tournament ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Paraguay were 41st, a gap of 31 places. Since 1994, only three World Cup knockout eliminations have featured a larger rankings disparity: Spain's defeat to Russia in 2018 (60 places), Italy's loss to South Korea in 2002 (34 places), and Spain's quarter-final exit to South Korea in 2002 (32 places).
Impact on the Tournament
Paraguay's victory was defined by VAR controversy, defensive resilience, and clinical finishing from the penalty spot. The decision to disallow Tah's goal has sparked debate about the consistency of VAR interpretations, particularly regarding goalkeeper interference during set pieces.
Klopp's comments highlight a growing concern among football figures about how VAR is applied in crucial moments. The former Liverpool boss specifically pointed to Arsenal's success from set pieces, suggesting that the Premier League champions' title would be in question if similar standards were applied consistently.
