Holders Germany out after surprise defeat
HOLDERS Germany were sensationally dumped out of the World Cup after a late VAR review set South Korea on the way to a 2-0 win in their Group F encounter.
Kim Young-gwon thought he had fired the Koreans ahead a minute into added time, but the goal was initially disallowed for offside.
However, after a VAR review showed Germany’s Toni Kroos got the last touch, the decision was overturned.
Tottenham striker Son Heungmin then rolled the ball into an empty net to turn the screw with German keeper Manuel Neuer stranded upfield to make it 2-0.
The defeat, coupled with Sweden’s win over Mexico, ensured Germany failed to emerge from the group stage for the first time.
Joachim Low’s men, who needed Toni Kroos’ last-gasp freekick against Sweden on Saturday to preserve their hopes, created only a handful of chances with central defender Mats Hummels having squandered perhaps the best of them three minutes from time.
Indeed, the game’s first real chance came at the other end after Khedira had been penalised for a high challenge on Jung Wooyoung.
Jung dusted himself down before firing in a 19th-minute free-kick which Neuer spilled before only just managing to claw away the rebound before Son could pounce.
The Spurs frontman was handed a chance six minutes later after full-back Lee Yong’s cross had been only half-cleared, but he drilled his volley just high and wide of the target.
Low’s side belatedly started to flex their muscles as the whistle approached with striker Timo Werner seeing a 39th-minute shot deflected over and Hummels forcing a point-blank save from Jo Hyeon-woo after Kroos’ corner had been recycled by Werner.
Neuer looked far more comfortable as he fielded Jung’s speculative effort within seconds of the restart, but it was opposite number Jo who had to produce a fine save to keep out Leon Goretzka’s 48th-minute header after Joshua Kimmich had picked him out unmarked.
In a desperate search for inspiration, Low sent on Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller for Khedira and Goretzka, but it was Werner who passed up another opportunity when he scuffed his effort harmlessly wide after Ozil’s 64thminute corner had been allowed to reach him beyond the far post.
Gomez headed straight at Jo from Kimmich’s cross four minutes later with the Germans stepping up a gear, but in an increasingly open contest, Son drove a 78th-minute shot into the sidenetting at the other end.
Hummels should have scored after being picked out by Ozil with 87 minutes gone, but made a mess of his header and South Korea took full advantage.
In the other Group F game, Sweden thrashed Mexico 3-0 to finish top.
Ludwig Augustinsson and Andreas Granqvist, with a penalty, put Sweden in control before Edson Alvarez’s own goal saw the Scandinavians make certain of their place in the second round.
Mexico joined them despite the defeat after Germany lost.
England manager Gareth Southgate was holding a press conference at the same time as Germany were being dumped out.
“Of course I am surprised,” he said of both the defeat and the fact that the Germans are heading home after the group stage.
“It has been unusual to see them struggle as much as they have but the level of all of the teams is strong.”
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