Has World Cup signalled end of chaos at corners?
World Cup 2026
“If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions.”
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was speaking after Germany had a goal disallowed during their World Cup tie with Paraguay.
Jonathan Tah thought he had given Germany a 2-1 lead in extra time, only for the video assistant referee to intervene, with Waldemar Anton adjudged to have blocked goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Match Details
It was a tactic reminiscent of one used by Arsenal last season – leading to a record 19 goals from corners as they won the Premier League.
“They’ve scored 60% of their goals that way,” Klopp said of the Gunners – exaggerating for effect.
But what is true is there has been a clear difference in approach in the refereeing of corners at the World Cup.
Tournament Impact
Wrestling seemed to be endemic towards the end of last season, with players thrown to the floor and – at times – as many as 16 camped in the six-yard box crowding the goalkeeper.
BBC Sport has been told there was a feeling at the top levels of refereeing that corner kicks had turned into a “fight scene” and this was “not real football”.
We have not seen the same level of skullduggery at the World Cup.
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