Germany had a plethora of chances but could convert none of them into goals. (Source: AP)
Germany imploded in stoppage time and conceded two goals that confirmed their exit from the 2018 World Cup in the group stage. This is the first time since 1938 that Germany have been eliminated in the first round of the tournament. Despite possessing the kind of riches in all parts of the pitch that would make any manager in the world envious, Germany looked meek and indecisive throughout the match. They dominated possession and had a plethora of chances but could convert none of them.
FT
Korea Republic
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90’ Younggwon Kim- 90’ Son Heungmin
90’ Younggwon Kim0
Germany
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South Korea vs Germany Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2018 Live Streaming: South Korea to take on Germany. (Source: Reuters)
No one in their right minds would have predicted this. The well-oiled German machine, packed to the hilt with some of the biggest names in football, have played exactly opposite to what they looked like on paper. South Korea deserved this win. They were on Germany's throats throughout the match. They let them keep possession and pounced on the counter whenever they could. They have avoided finishing bottom of the table in Group F, something that can not be said about the defending champions. That's it from us, thanks for sticking around.
They started the tournament off to a bang, beating Germany and South Korea to almost confirm their spot in the Round of 16. But thios 3-0 loss would have been fatal for them had Germany also managed to score. For Mexico's goal difference had gone into negative figures because of the sound thrashing they received from Sweden. But they can now breath easy, Germany could do nothing but concede.
Germany had 70 per cent possession of the ball, they made 26 attempts on goal off which just six were on target. They had big boys like Gomez and Hummels towards the end of the match in the box and yet they looked almost too afraid to make crosses. This will have repercussions for them back home.
They have an embarrassment of talent on paper, they were one of the favourites to win it and before this tournament started even a single loss in this group stage was being touted as a shock. But all of that counts for nothing. For the first time since 1938, Germany have been knocked out of the World Cup in the first round.
Neuer in the opposition half, the ball breaks free, Son runs after it and passes it into the empty net. Nail in the coffin for Germany
Referee takes a look at the pitch side screen, runs back on to the pitch and signals that South Korea have the goal, GERMANY ARE GOING OUT!
Oh my goodness! South Korea score from a corner but the linesman says that the Kim Young-gwon was offside. Mr VAR is taking a look, Germany's fate on the balance.
Once again Germany come in, Kroos with a driven shot from the D and Korean keeper Heyon Woo Jo makes the save.
Ozil with a cross from the right and Germany have loaded the box now. Hummels is there, he is free but he is unable to meet it with his head. Instead it bounces off his shoulder and out and Hummels has his head in his hands. Pure pressure.
Brandt lines up a shot inside the box but it is blocked by a Korean defender, the rebounds comes to Kroos outside the box and his shot is well over the bar and into the crowd behind goal. Even he can't find the target today.
Werner's cross comes in from the right and Muller meets it with his head. It goes wide for a goalkick. The clock keeps ticking away...
Marco Reus played in and he has the keeper on the ground by the byline but the referee blows the whistle for offside against the Dortmund man.
Son gets the ball to the edge of the box and shoots from there, it is just wide of the post. Germany still just holding on to the ball and unable to find a way through. They need just one goal to qualify for the knockouts.
Germany look almost two afraid to put the ball into the box. They are simply hovering around the 20-25 yard area and not provide anything in. When they do, Gomez and Werner are missing sitters. Kimmich provided a low cross into the box from the right and Gomez got the ball nicked away from his feet by the Korean keeper.
Kimmich provides the cross in from the right, it finds Gomez whose header is saved by the Korean keeper.
Son Min Moon gets inside the box and wriggles around. He momentarily has space for a shot but Hummels manages to nick the ball away in time and clear the danger.
Germany are simply unable to find a way through once they get into the final third. Son gives the German fans a collective scare when he goes down inside the box but the referee gives him a yellow card for simulation.
Sweden have scored again and they now lead Mexico 2-0. That knockout spot looks very far away at the moment for the defending champions.
And now Germany seem to be panicking. A couple of defensive errors puts Neuer's goal in danger but the danger is dealt with. Germany are a shadow of their usual self.
Hector dribbles all the way to the byline and cuts back in, the shot is on for Wener and he puts it wide! That was a golden opportunity and Werner let it fly.
Sweden have scored against Mexico over at Ekaterinburg. This changes things a bit as, now, if the situation remains like this, Sweden and Mexico would be through to the next round and Germany are knocked out. Unless the defending champions manage to score here, that is.
Germany came mighty close there. Cross into the box from the right and Goretzka heads it goalwards but South Korean keeper Hyeon Woo Jo dives the right way and makes a point-blank save.
As things stand, Germany are through to the knockouts. But if this is how the rest of their tournament will be, that Toni Kroos free kick against Sweden will remain the highlight of Russia 2018 for Germany. The defending champions have once again looked devoid of any imagination whatsoever.
Germany make their way to the South Korean box in slow-motion and Ozil takes a shot from the right at the end of it. It initially looked like it had taken a deflection and gone out but the ref gives South Korea a goal kick.
South Korea now trying to make a headway but they can only get as far as the edge of the box before the Germans clear it, just as they have been doing with their opponents. This game is all about the area between the halfway line and the two boxes. Shots have been at a premium.
A mad scramble ensues after the resulting corner is swung in by Kroos in which Werner comes closest to getting a goal. But in the end, the ball only goes out for a goal kick.
Ozil takes the ball around the halfway circle and races towards the box, passes to Werner on the right, He takes the shot and it is deflected out by a South Korean defender.
Goretzka with a pass towards Reus who lets fly. FIFA's website shows that Germany have 73 per cent possession. They have been utterly lethargic with it.
Germany with a lot of possession but there is precious little they have been able to do, which has been the case with them so far in the World Cup. Kroos' corner is easily cleared by Korea,
South Korea win a free kick a little to the right of centre around 25 yards away from goal, Jung takes it. The shot is not powerful and is straight at Neuer but the German captain spills it! Son comes in to try and poach one but Neuer reacts and bounds the ball out for a corner.
Germany win a free kick right side of goal, it is swung into the crowd in the box and Korea manage to clear it. Earlier Jung collected a yellow card for a lung on Werner. He will miss the next match, but that is only if Korea have a next match, which is highly unlikely.
Germany kick off the game wearing their green shirst and Korea in their dark red. The first five minutes have mostly been about Germany, no surprises there of course.
Here are the starting XI for South Korea vs Germany match tonight:
Shin Taeyong has already faced Germany from the South Korean dugout, overseeing a 3-3 draw at the Olympic Football Tournament 2016.
Germany have faced South Korea twice in the World Cup and thye have won both the matches. They defeated South Korea 3-2 in 1994 and 1-0 in the 2002 Semi-finals.
Germany have faced South Korea twice in the World Cup and thye have won both the matches. They defeated South Korea 3-2 in 1994 and 1-0 in the 2002 Semi-finals.
South Korea and Germany have faced each other thrice before with Germany picking up two victories and South Korea winning one. The last time two teams met was in 2004 in Busan in a friendly.
- France win trophy in 1998, out in group stages in 2002
- Italy win trophy in 2006, out in group stages in 2010
- Spain win trophy in 2010 , out in group stages in 2014
Can Germany survive? CLICK TO READ
Marco Reus scored the goal against Sweden. Now, his eyes are set on the match against South Korea.
Germany need everything to be spot on tonight - and it looks like they are starting it off with their jerseys.
South Korea have already been eliminated from the contest and have little to play for, except pride, against Germany tonight. But for the defending World Champions, a spot in Round of 16 is at stake. They could become the latest victims of the defending champions curse and get knocked out from the group stages. South Korea, are likely to give their all to pick up a consolation win in Russia.