THE CURSE STRIKES
HEARTBREAK: GERMANS DUMPED OUT OF WORLD CUP Defending champs follow trend of being knocked out in the first stage.
Holders Germany crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage yesterday in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history – failing to make it past the opening round for the first time since 1938.
The four-time winners came to Russia among the favourites but became the fourth side this century to lose in the group stage after winning the previous tournament. They suffered a 2-0 defeat against unfancied South Korea.
Sweden topped the group after a 3-0 win against Mexico, who join them in the next round despite the heavy defeat.
Germany came into the match against South Korea knowing a win by two clear goals would guarantee them a place in the last16 but repeatedly failed to create clear-cut chances in Kazan. Their fate was sealed by two goals from Son Heung-min and Kim Younggwon in added time.
Leaving aside Uruguay – who won the inaugural World Cup in 1930 before not travelling to Italy for the 1934 edition – it is the sixth time in history the reigning champions have failed to make it past the first hurdle. The other teams were Italy (1950 and 2010), Brazil (1966), France (2002) and Spain (2014).
About 800km to the east, in Yekaterinburg, Sweden thumped former group leaders Mexico 3-0, leaving Mexican fans anxiously focusing on events in Kazan.
Defender Mats Hummels admitted Germany’s group stage exit was a “bitter” shock.
“It is a really, really bitter evening for us,” Hummels told German broadcaster ZDF. “We did not put the ball in the net, even though we had plenty of opportunities, including myself in the 86th minute.
“We had plenty of opportunities, we broke our necks trying out there today.”
Germany qualified for Russia with a perfect record of 10 wins, but Hummels said the last time the team played well was when they wrapped up qualification late last year.
“We put ourselves in this situation after the Mexican game,” he admitted after the Germans lost their opener 1-0 to Mexico. “The last game we delivered a good performance was in the autumn of 2017.”
Sweden’s coach Janne Andersson spoke of his pride after his side topped the group with second-half goals from Ludwig Augustinsson, Andreas Granqvist and an own goal from Edson Alvarez.
“We’ve done a fantastic job with this match,” he said, ahead of a last-16 clash against Brazil, Switzerland or Serbia.
“I’m so incredibly proud, almost moved at the thought of how we performed on the pitch, so disciplined. I think we’ve grown since our last match.” –