Germany Eliminated From World Cup After 2-0 Loss To South Korea

Germany, the defending FIFA World Cup champions, were knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday after a shocking 2-0 loss to South Korea in Kazan, Russia.

Germany Knocked Out Of FIFA World Cup 2018

South Korea — which had lost its first two games of the tournament to Sweden and Mexico — scored two goals in second-half injury time to eliminate Germany after just one round of play, which finished fourth in its group with just three points.

Mexico also lost to Sweden 3-0 after the latter team scored three goals in the second half of a game that was played at the same time as the aforementioned contest, but both teams from Group F reached the round of 16 after finishing with six points apiece. South Korea’s victory ensured that Mexico could advance to the second round.

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Mexican fans had started losing all hope of staying in the World Cup, as a victory from Germany would have effectively knocked the Latin Americans out. But after South Korea scored a goal three minutes into second-half stoppage time, Mexican fans started rejoicing, and the cries of elation at the arena in Yekaterinburg only intensified after South Korea scored again three minutes later, and by then it was Germany’s players and fans who were looking completely dejected and miserable. This is the first time Germany has ever been eliminated from the World Cup after the first round in the national team’s history.

Germany finished with 26 shots on Wednesday, but just couldn’t get past South Korean goalie Jo Hyeon-Woo.

South Korea’s first goal was not immediately certain, as it was reviewed for a potential offside. After a shot off the corner, the ball slipped through to Kim Young-Gwon near the back post. Following a quick touch, Kim fired a shot that deflected off German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s foot and into the goal. After a review that lasted about a minute, the play was ruled onside because it was a German player who accidentally passed the ball to Kim.

The Asians added insult to injury by scoring again in the 96th minute. Neuer had come out of his goal by that point as Germany was desperate for two goals to win the game. South Korea made a long kick from near their own goal and the ball fell to Son Heung-Min, who was uncovered and far ahead of Germany’s defenders. He tapped it into the net from about a yard away to make it 2-0 and erase Germany’s hopes, four years after the European powerhouse won the World Cup in Brazil after defeating Argentina in the final.

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Mexico put up a strong fight against Sweden in the first half on Wednesday, with several scoring chances from Carlos Vela and other players. Sweden also played well in the first half. However, El Tri seemed to fall apart after halftime, and Sweden scored just five minutes following the break when Ludwig Augustinsson one-timed a pass by Viktor Claesson from a difficult angle near the right post. His high shot flew over goalie Guillermo Ochoa‘s head. Then in the 61st minute, Andreas Granqvist made it 2-0 on a penalty kick that was awarded to Sweden after defenseman Hector Morena tackled Emil Berg to the ground in the box. Sweden’s third goal was an own goal from Mexico: In the 74th minute, Edson Alvarez became overeager while playing defense and accidentally deflected the ball past Ochoa with his hand.

In the first half, Mexico’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was reviewed for a possible hand-ball in the box that could have resulted in a penalty for Sweden in the 29th minute, but after video review the officials say Hernandez unintentionally hit the ball off his arm after bringing it down with his chest. Sweden’s coach was fuming after the call and started arguing with the Argentine referee.

Sweden, which finished first in Group F, will now face the Group E runner-up, while Mexico will play that same group’s winner in the round of 16. Those opponents will be determined after Group E’s final two games are played later on Wednesday: Brazil will face Serbia, while Switzerland plays Costa Rica. Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, was predicted to win its group again this year as usual, although today’s results prove that anything is possible in soccer.