World Cup 2018: South Korea sent Champions Germany home; Sweden top Group F

They tried with every craft in their book but Germany still couldn’t break through the Korean resistance, in the end knocking themselves out of the World Cup after a humiliating 0-2 loss against South Korea at the Kazan Arena on Wednesday.

It was first time since 1938, that Germany failed to make the knockouts and for the third consecutive time, a current World Champion will be heading home straight from the group stages.

Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min struck the two goals for Korea, the first of which broke German hearts – the second sinking them to their worst ever World Cup campaign with just one victory and two defeats in three matches.

But this was supposed to be a regular win for ‘Die Mannschaft‘ against an opposition who has never made it to the final and Germany were anyway, the four time champions. They dominated the proceedings with 74% of possession and hit the target one more than Korea did, but the ‘Taegeuk Warriors’ found the net and the reigning champions didn’t.

Their defeat to Mexico had outlined their weak defence and Sweden nearly made them pay, but still Germany had the faith and put men forward in search of a victory knowing anything less was defeat. Niklas Süle’s wicked deflection however turned the tides as Kim scored from an off-side position, a goal gifted to him and the champions were behind even before they could realise.

That goal came in the second minute of added time and by the sixth minute, Korea were 2-0 up when Ju Se-jong’s long clearance found Son’s run and with Manuel Neuer inside the Korean-half, the Tottenham attacker tapped the ball into an empty net – emptying German hopes as well.

Sweden top Group F

It was surprising that Sweden topped Group F ahead of both Mexico and Germany, even after a defeat against the latter and seemingly stood no chance against the rampaging Mexicans.

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Sweden turned rampage and brushed aside Mexico 3-0 to qualify into the last 16. Mexico despite the defeat sealed an entry after the German fort 600 miles far had been blown apart.

With 19 shots in the opening 45 minutes and not a goal to show, this match just like the one elsewhere was heading towards a draw but Sweden needed a victory and they came into the second looking for it.

Ludwig Augustinsson scored five minutes after the interval, latching into a Viktor Claesson cross and volleying home to put Sweden ahead. It forced Mexico out of their hole and opened up more space for Marcus Berg and Ola Toivonen to run and 12 minutes later Sweden had doubled their score.

Andrés Guardado’s horrible turn slipped the ball into Toivonen’s path, who found Berg inside the Mexican box, leaving Hector Moreno with nothing but a tackle to commit. He did so but clumsily and Sweden were awarded a penalty which captain Andreas Granqvist thumped into goal.

Then Mexico conceded another in the 74th minute when Edson Álvarez kicked the ball into his own net, trying to clear a Sweden corner. It all looked over for ‘El Tri’ from there and they were heading home, if Germany found a goal.

But South Korea had their redemption and after two consecuitve defeats they upstaged the world champions. They will head home but also ensured Germany’s exit. Sweden and Mexico enter the last 16.