Unused Ter Stegen the first Barça player to exit the World Cup
Manuel Neuer was chosen ahead of the Barça keeper in Russia
There was a huge surprise in the World Cup on Wednesday as Germany were eliminated, converting Marc-Andre ter Stegen into the first Barcelona player to exit the tournament.
Ter Stegen will not have good memories of the World Cup, given the Barça goalkeeper did not play a single minute at the tournament. His coach, Joachim Löw, instead opted for Manuel Neuer in each of the three games, despite the fact the Bayern Munich man had missed the season with an injury. At 26, it was Ter Stegen's first World Cup.
A German international since 2012, he was not part of the squad in 2014 in Brazi. However, he was the starting goalkeeper as Germany won the Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017. He went into the finals this year on the back of a brilliant season but was not selected by Löw in the group stages.
A WORLD CUP SURPRISE
In the decisive game, Germany couldn't break down South Korea, despite the fact the Asian side had already been eliminated from the tournament.
They became the first of the pre-tournament favourites to say goodbye after conceding two goals in stoppage time, with the first, in the 93rd minute, given after a VAR review.
Shortly after, Neuer came out of his goalkeeper and helped create South Korea's second goal.
As ocurred with Spain in 2014, Germany, the holders of the World Cup, crash out at the first hurdle. Löw's side lost to Mexico, beat Sweden in stoppage time and then lost to South Korea. Sweden and Mexico are the teams that have reached the next round.
