Klopp wants to go to Arsenal in the 'ball parade' after Germany was eliminated from the World Cup 2026
Jurgen Klopp criticized Arsenal's style of 'ball parades' while Germany introduced VAR that banned the late goal and defeat to Paraguay in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
Jurgen Klopp vented his anger after Germany's exit from the 2026 World Cup, following a dramatic defeat to Paraguay in the round of 32 in which a late goal was disallowed and they conceded in a penalty shootout.
Under Julian Nagelsmann—who, at 38, became the youngest coach at a World Cup knockout stage in 40 years—Germany played aggressively and handed Deniz Undav, their top scorer, his first start of the tournament. The Germans thought they had tied the match in the 102' minute when Jonathan Tah headed a corner to the far post, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.
That's when Klopp hit out at MagentaTV, with a hint of Arsenal's style of ball parade: "If that goal was illegal, Arsenal wouldn't be champions of England. Sixty percent of their goals are taken like that. We win when the ball goes in. So of course, it's brutal."
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/en/the_independent_us_sports_articles_270/9a3aa3ecf1c5c9e60e6363093876e5aa" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>Statistically, Arsenal scored 25 goals from set pieces last season in the Premier League—equivalent to 35% of their total of 71—and were often criticized for aggressive positioning in corners and sticking to the opposition's six-yard box. Mikel Arteta denied it again and again: "I'm upset that we could have scored more and given something away [from set-pieces]. We want to be the best and the most dominant in every aspect of the game. That's the direction and goal of this team."
Germany did not escape the shooting either. Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah missed in quick succession from 11 meters, and after two minutes by the South Americans, Jose Canale kept his composure to seal Paraguay's win. It closed another painful chapter for the four-time champions, who have not won a World Cup knockout game since the final in Rio in 2014.
Throughout the tournament, Klopp's presence as a pundit on German TV was noticeable. He was the first to apologize to Nagelsmann after the discussion flared up with his comment that "it's a good thing Julian Nagelsmann is still picking the team" before Germany's 7-1 washout of Curacao in Group E. In Houston, Thomas Muller jokingly responded: "Kloppo, it's only June. You're already in September." Klopp later clarified and regretted the word "still" that seemed to cast doubt on Nagelsmann's future: "I felt like punching myself then, but it was too late and I was on TV. There's no point. I'll be fifty-nine on Tuesday and I'm still stupid."
