Fifa World Cup - Russia 2018

Full-time South Korea 2 – 0 Germany #WorldCup

Full-time: South Korea 2-0 Germany Germany are out of the first round since 1938! They’ve never failed to make it out of a World Cup group before! Sweden and Mexico are through! It’s humiliation for the holders! This is incredible! Who saw this coming at the start of the tournament?

Germany

Germany, the 2014 World Cup winners, are out of the 2018 tournament after losing South Korea in their final group game. The 2-0 defeat, courtesy of Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min’s injury-time goals, coupled with Sweden’s win over Mexico, means Germany exit at the first hurdle for the first time since 1938.

In an even first half, South Korea came closest to breaking the deadlock. Jung Woo-young’s 19th-minute free-kick was spilled by Manuel Neuer in the six-yard box but the Germany goalkeeper reacted quickest to bundle the ball away as Son Heung-min closed in. Six minutes later Son again was close, volleying high and wide after Germany failed to clear Jung’s cross.

Leon Goretzka’s header was well saved by Jo Hyeon-woo early in the second half and Timo Werner lashed wide when well placed. Meanwhile, Ludwig Augustinsson’s goal for Sweden in Ekaterinburg meant the champions were going out as it stood.

Germany increased the pressure as the half wore on but remained vulnerable on the break and struggled to create many clear-cut chances. Indeed as the clock ticked down, South Korea appeared perhaps more likely to break the deadlock, although Mats Hummels missed a fine late chance to win the game with a header.

But with Germany’s efforts becoming increasingly frantic, South Korea found a winner of their own. In the second minute of stoppage time a South Korea corner dropped Kim Young-gwon, who turned home past Neuer. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Son added another, tapping home into an empty net after Neuer had been caught upfield in a late attack.

The exit of Jogi Löw’s side means for the third successive tournament the reigning champions have gone out in the group stages, after Spain’s early exit in 2014 and Italy’s in 2010.

Despite the famous victory South Korea also exit the tournament, with Sweden top of the group and Mexico second. Germany finish bottom, with Korea third.

Source: The Guardian