Germany knocked out of World Cup after South Korea loss

World champions Germany crashed out of the World Cup as they were beaten 2-0 by South Korea on Wednesday. 

It’s the third consecutive World Cup in which the holders have crashed out in the group stage, with Germany following the example set by Spain and Italy in 2014 and 2010 respectively. 

Delving even further back into the history books, it’s the first time that Germany have failed to get out of the group stages at the World Cup since 1930. 

Germay lost their first game against Mexico but a stoppage time winner from Toni Kroos against Sweden had given them life in the competition. 

However, they once again flattered deceive against South Korea in Kazan and can have few complaints about their early exit as Young-Gwon Kim and Heung-Min Son both scored in stoppage time. 

With Sweden comfortably beating Mexico in the other game, Joachim Low’s side knew that they needed to score to stay in the competition. 

However, as they threw caution to the wind in search of the goal which would have took them through to the last 16, they came unstuck at the back. 

South Korea took a 93rd minute lead when Kim found the roof of the net from two yards out. 

Despite being flagged offside initially, the goal was eventually given after VAR got involved, with the final touch before the goal actually coming off a German player. 

Kim’s goal left Germany needing two in four minutes and prompted Manuel Neuer to take matters into his own hands. 

The Bayern Munich goalkeeper decided to play in attack, leaving two defenders on the halfway line, but was embarrassingly dispossessed when he did get the ball. 

After winning it off Neuer, Se-Jong Joo punted it forward and Tottenham’s Lee rolled it into an empty net. 

Germany’s best chance before going behind had fallen to Mats Hummels late on, but the defender wasted it, paving the way for South Korea’s late show. 

The result meant both nations exited the World Cup as Sweden and Mexico progressed to the last 16.