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Sport: World Cup 2018, Germany out of the World Cup

Germany out of the World Cup as South Korea sunk them to the bottom of Group F after a crazy finish in Kazan.


South Korea 0-2 Germany: match report
It meant nothing to South Korea but they celebrated like it meant everything. They had already been knocked out of the tournament after Sweden had dismantled Mexico to eliminate them from contention. But on Wednesday afternoon in Kazan Arena, Germany kissed goodbye to their hopes of retaining the World Cup in stunning fashion.
In a World Cup that just keeps on giving, Germany dominated for long stretches of time but could not break down a South Korean rearguard, in general, and their goalkeeper, Hyun-Woo Cho, in particular. It was all very docile in the end from Joachim Lowe's side, who had control but lacked cutting edge.
As the clock ticked down and word came through that Sweden were through to the last 16, Germany needed a goal. They committed men forward with the game deadlocked. The change of Khedira for Mario Gomez made sense but it destabilised a German side who had been picked off by Mexico in similar fashion in the opening game. Despite the lack of credulity in what we were watching, it was all very predictable based on what we had seen before from this German side.
The more desperate Germany got, the more dangerous South Korea became and they got their reward when Young-Gwon Kim stroked home after a scramble in the penalty area. There was VAR because there's always VAR. And it added to the tension but the hints of offside were put to bed when referee Mark Geiger made a square with his hands and pointed for a kick-off. South Korea were ecstatic, Germany were heading for the exit.
It got worse too, and more embarrassing, as Manuel Neuer became an extra attacker and got caught out way up the field. The long ball down to Heung Min Son was tapped home to make it 2-0 and an impossibly long road back for the reigning world champions looked even longer.
So, it's Mexico and Sweden who go through from Group F and Germany who finish at the bottom of the pile after a truly horrendous campaign in Russia.


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