Jurgen Klopp was left incensed after Germany were denied a crucial late winning goal against Paraguay at the World Cup – insisting that if the decision was correct, then Arsenal had no right to win the Premier League. Germany suffered a penalty shootout exit at a World Cup for the very first time as South American underdogs Paraguay produced the tournament’s biggest upset to date in the round of 32.
Julio Enciso handed Paraguay a first-half advantage before Julian Nagelsmann’s side roared back after the break, drawing level through Kai Havertz. A sustained German assault followed, and they appeared to have snatched victory when Tah headed home in stoppage time.
However, dramatic scenes unfolded as referee Jalal Jayed was summoned to the pitchside monitor to review a light foul on goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
He subsequently ruled that Waldemar Anton had obstructed the keeper, and the match went to a penalty shootout.
Gill emerged as the unlikeliest of heroes – saving two German penalties before Jose Canale converted the decisive kick to secure a stunning victory.
The disallowed goal sparked fierce debate in the German media, with legendary Liverpool manager Klopp insisting he witnessed Arsenal repeatedly benefit from identical situations on their way to last season’s Premier League title.
Klopp told MagentaTV: “If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions. They’ve scored 60 per cent of their goals that way.
“Germany win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal.”
He was far from alone in his fury. Germany manager Nagelsmann, who was himself booked for his vehement protests, branded the ruling a ‘joke’.
While Alan Shearer said on the BBC‘s commentary: “I don’t agree with that decision at all. The keeper falls to the ground on a slight touch and it’s very soft. I thought it was a terrible decision.
“You have to understand it is a contact sport, the goalkeeper has conned the referee and the VAR. The way he went down was pathetic.”