PLEASURE KROOS

Seconds from being sunk, now the Germans are buoyant and defender Hummels warns: This could be the moment that set us on course for World Cup victory

MATS HUMMELS believes Toni Kroos’ lastgasp winner can inspire Germany towards another World Cup win.

The Bayern Munich defender saluted the magnificent free-kick as being a potential turningpoint as the champions turned up the heat in Sochi.

Going into the last minute of five added for injury time, Joachim

Loew (right) and his side faced the possibility of having qualification taken out of their hands. A draw would have meant Mexico and Sweden could play out a stalemate in their final Group F game – and eliminate the four-time winners.

But Kroos’ goal means that if they beat South Korea on Wednesday they are almost certain to progress.

Hummels believes the manner of Saturday’s victory provides significant momentum.

He said: “It wasn’t perfect, but from the emotional side that late goal was a very, very good thing for us. It gives us the feeling that we can improve, we can get better.

“It feels good. Could it be the moment we look back upon? The moment when things changed and helped us win the World Cup?

“Of course. Something like this can have a huge impact. “But we cannot get carried away. If we go and make mistakes against South Korea in the next game, it means nothing.

“This was a good result. It was an important goal and an important moment. “Now we have to go out and prove we can be way better. We’ll need to do that if we want to win this tournament – which we do.”

The fall-out from Germany’s opening 1-0 defeat by Mexico hit them hard. A tidal wave of criticism has been directed at the defending champions.

Match-winner Kroos was still upset about all the carping afterwards – the scoreline featured in all their briefings last week.

The Real Madrid midfielder added: “With that sort of fighting spirit, we deserve to reach the final.

“It was tough. We suffered. But that’s normal if you don’t score early on. It was difficult.

“Obviously, we are delighted with the victory and we will go from there.

“But we have had no help from those who write, analyse and accuse us of bad body language. It’s much harder now for people to have a go at us.

“Having said that, no one will ‘write’ us a title. It all has to come from us.”