Germany stuns Sweden in stoppage time
SOCHI, Russia — The desperate world champions from Germany were seconds from losing control of their World Cup fate when Toni Kroos whispered to Marco Reus just outside Sweden’s penalty area.
With the score tied in the Kroos seemed to remind Reus of a trick play from training that will live in World Cup lore.
men after Jerome Boateng was given a second yellow - tory Saturday and their title defense was suddenly revived.
Kroos lined up for a free kick as if he was going for goal but just tapped the ball his toe as the defenders paused. Kroos smashed spinning Sebastian Larsson and over the outreached hand of diving goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
The Swedes watched the ball go in with mouth-open disbelief.
The Germans ran to Kroos and erupted in emotional relief.
Coming off an opening fell behind again when Kroos’ early mistake led to Ola Toivonen’s goal in the
in the 48th.
Mexico leads Group F with Sweden both have three. Mexico faces Sweden and Germany takes on winless South Korea in the final group matches.
Germany looked as if it facing the same possible fate as Spain and Italy and potentially become the third straight defending champion / AP - Thanassis Stavrakis to fail to reach the knockout
Toivonen gave Sweden the every aspect by playing aggressive and attacking soccer. Germany forced Sweden to play defensively for almost the entire second half and eventually the attack paid off.
Reus scored to pull Ger Werner’s cross that was tapped by halftime substitute ball to pop up perfectly for
Olsen made a major save in the 88th minute and Julian Brandt hit the post in the
at Kroos’ strike.
NO OZIL Germany coach Joachim Loew showed he wasn’t willing to stay with the status his starting lineup. One was due to necessity after central defender Mats Hummels injured his neck in training on Thursday.
The surprise was Loew the starting lineup in favor of Reus.
was dropped from the lineup in a major international championship in his senior career. He started every and was one of the stars of
GROUP DYNAMICS The victory put the Germans back on track to advance to the knockout stage if it can get a win against South Korea and have a better goal differential than the Swedes or Mexico depending on the
Germany may be looking at the group and potentially a