‘If it’s illegal…’: Why Klopp targeted Arsenal as he attacked VAR after Germany’s World Cup exit

Germany’s Jonathan Tah, second from left, celebrates after scoring a goal later disallowed during a World Cup match. (AP photo) Germany’s controversial exit from the 2026 World Cup has sparked a wave of criticism from some of the country’s biggest names in football, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp leading the backlash when he questioned the VAR decision that ruled out Jonathan Taha’s extra-time goal against Paraguay – and dragged Premier League champions Arsenal into the debate.Germany were knocked out by Paraguay in a dramatic round of 32 clash, losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. However, the decisive moment came in the 101st minute when Tah’s header was disallowed following a VAR review for an alleged foul by Waldemar Anton on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

Why Klopp brought Arsenal into the debate

Speaking to German broadcaster MagentaTV after the defeat, Klopp questioned the consistency of the decision and pointed to Arsenal’s effectiveness from set pieces as an example.“If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal will not become English champions. They have scored 60 percent of their goals that way,” Klopp said.The former Liverpool boss suggested that if the level of contact with Anton was deemed sufficient to disallow Tah’s goal, it would also rule out similar incidents that normally occur during set-pieces – including many of Arsenal’s goals.Klopp’s comments added fuel to the growing debate over VAR’s interpretation of physical problems in the penalty area.

Klose: “VAR is looking for reasons to disallow goals”

German legend Miroslav Klose was equally critical, insisting that Tah’s goal should have stood.“I honestly can’t believe the referees and VAR ruled it out. If that’s enough to disallow a goal at the World Cup, then football is becoming too soft. The keeper has never really been prevented from making a save and for me it’s a perfectly legitimate goal,” Klose told Sky Sports.The previous World Cup top scorer has argued that VAR has deviated from its original purpose.“This is exactly why so many fans are frustrated with VAR. Instead of correcting clear and obvious mistakes, it keeps looking for small incidents to disallow goals. Millions of fans have come to watch football, not endless replays looking for reasons to concede goals.”Klose also felt that the decision completely shifted the momentum of the match.“The referee completely destroyed Germany’s momentum with this decision. These are the moments that change the World Cup and in my opinion they made a huge mistake.”

Schweinsteiger backs Taha up after penalty miss

Former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger focused on the psychological impact the overturned goal may have had on Taha, who later missed from the penalty spot.“Honestly, I think this disallowed goal has never left Jonathan Taha’s mind. Imagine believing you’ve scored a goal that sends your country through, celebrating with your teammates and then letting VAR take it away. Moments like that stay with you,” Schweinsteiger told ARD.He added that football is as much a mental game as a technical one.“When he went for the penalty, I don’t think he was completely free mentally. Football is as much psychological as it is technical. I really believe that the disallowance of the first goal affected him.”Schweinsteiger also defended the defender from criticism.“I’m not going to point the finger at Jonathan Tah, because penalties are taken by brave players, not cowards. But I can’t stop thinking that if that first goal was worth it, Germany wouldn’t even be in the penalty shootout.”