'If Tah's goal is illegal, then Arsenal won't be English champions'

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp launched a scathing attack on VAR after Germany's extra-time winner was ruled out in their dramatic World Cup Round of 32 defeat to Paraguay, insisting the decision was inconsistent with similar goals regularly allowed in top-level football.

Germany thought they had sealed victory when Jonathan Tah powered home a header in the 102nd minute to make it 2-1. However, the goal was overturned after VAR judged that defender Waldemar Anton had impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill before the corner was converted.

Working as a television pundit for German broadcaster MagentaTV, Klopp questioned the interpretation of the incident and drew comparisons with Arsenal's set-piece success in the Premier League.

"If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won't be English champions," Klopp said. "They've scored 60 percent of their goals that way. We win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal."

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann shared Klopp's frustration, describing the decision as "a joke" and insisting Anton's contact on Gill did not amount to a foul. The German coach was shown a yellow card for protesting after the goal was ruled out.

BBC pundit Alan Shearer also criticised the decision, arguing the Paraguay goalkeeper had exaggerated the contact.

"I don't agree with that decision at all," Shearer said. "The goalkeeper has conned the referee and the VAR."
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann echoed that view, calling the contact "soft" and saying it was not enough to disallow the goal.

Germany's misery deepened as Paraguay held on to force penalties before winning the shootout 4-3, knocking the four-time champions out of the tournament.