Klopp blames Arsenal's corner tactics after Germany's controversial World Cup exit to Paraguay

Jurgen Klopp took aim at Arsenal’s set-piece tactics after Germany were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup by Paraguay in Boston, losing 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

Germany thought they had won the tie in the 116th minute when Jonathan Tah powered home a header at the back post, only for referee Jalal Jayed to disallow the goal following a VAR review. Waldemar Anton was judged to have fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gil in the build-up after appearing to brush the shot-stopper following a corner. Paraguay held on, then converted four of their five spot-kicks to progress to the Round of 16 and send four-time world champions Germany home at the last 32.

Speaking to MagentaTV after the match, Klopp — who led Liverpool before taking charge of the Germany national team — drew a pointed comparison with Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning campaign. “If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions,” he said. “They’ve scored 60% of their goals that way. We win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal.”

The statistics lend some weight to Klopp’s frustration, even if the broader implication is contentious. Arsenal scored 25 Premier League goals from set-pieces — excluding penalties — during their 2025/26 title-winning season, the highest total in the division. Mikel Arteta’s side also set a new Premier League single-season record for goals scored from corners, netting 19, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber each contributing three. Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover’s methods drew criticism throughout the campaign, with opposing goalkeepers frequently targeted in the box.

Germany had been strong pre-match favourites against Paraguay, who sit 22 places below them in the FIFA World Rankings. The underdogs struck first through Julio Enciso — formerly of Brighton and Ipswich — before Arsenal forward Kai Havertz levelled after the break. Despite sustained German pressure in extra-time, Paraguay survived to set up a last-16 meeting with either France or Sweden.

For Nagelsmann’s side, the defeat represents a damaging early exit from a tournament in which they were widely expected to go deep. Klopp’s pointed remarks about Arsenal may generate headlines, but they do little to soften the blow of Germany’s earliest World Cup elimination in recent memory.