WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:The Fall Of The Mighty Germany In Russia 2018
By Olamide Olalekan/ Sport Reporter/ History repeats itself as world champions, Germany, bow out of the 2018 FIFA World cup. South Korea thrashed the Germans 2 goals to nil.
The Germans lost their opening game against Mexico, one goal to nil. They managed to beat Sweden in their second match, all thanks to Toni Kroos’s effort.
However, the world champs were unable to replicate their form in their last group match, as they were punished by South Korea for what could be regarded as a lacklustre performance.
Joachim Leow made five changes with Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil, Leon Goretzka and Niklas Sule all starting the match. While South Korea made four changes, bringing in Ja-Cheol Koo, Woo-Young Jung, Chul Hong and Young-Sun Yun.
South Korea had the two best chances of the opening period, the first coming in the 19th minute, the second chance came after six minutes. Son played a diagonal to Young Joon Lee, who crossed the ball in, only for Son to fire the loose ball into thin air.
Germany wasted a lot of chances in the second period of the game, with the likes of Timo Werner, Mario Gomez and Mats Hummels wasting glorious efforts which could have helped the Germans secure a place in the knockout stage of the tournament.
However,the German were punished for their wasteful displays in the added time of the game by conceding 2 goals in the space of 6 minutes.
The first goal came in the 2nd minute of additional time. Son played a corner into the area, with Hyun-Soo Jang flicking the ball on past Kroos, before Young Sun Yun’s touch put it into the path of Kim at the back post, who tapped home.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR replays showed the ball took a touch off Kroos on the way through, meaning Kim was onside and the goal was given.
The late drama continued, five minutes later South Korea added their second. Neuer was high up the field as Germany pressed for a goal, but was rounded by Ju before his long pass was caught by the pacey run on Son, who slotted home into an empty net to seal the win and send Germany out.
Germany are the fourth defending champions to be eliminated from the group stage at the World Cup in the last five tournaments (France, Korea/Japan 2002; Italy, South Africa 2010; Spain, Brazil 2014).
South Korea, could not also progress to the next round, leaving Sweden and Mexico to progress to the knockout stage with 6 points each, finishing first and second respectively.
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