Germany Eliminated From World Cup by Shocking Loss to South Korea

The defending world champs were in a must-win situation and they failed to deliver.

A German fan as she watches Germany national team play in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia match against Sweden at 11 Freunde - Die Fussball Arena on June 23, 2018 in Essen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
A German fan as she watches Germany national team play in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia match against Sweden at 11 Freunde - Die Fussball Arena on June 23, 2018 in Essen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Bongarts/Getty Images

In a shocking turn of events, at least in the soccer world, defending World Cup champion Germany failed to advance out of the group stage courtesy of a 2-0 defeat at the feet of South Korea.

Germany, considered by many to be a favorite to repeat as winners of the tournament, was held off the scoresheet by South Korean goalkeeper Joe Hyeon-woo during a match that was scoreless until extra time.

It wasn’t for lack of trying as Germany possessed the ball for 74 percent of the match and had 28 shots on goal compared to South Korea’s 12.

Finally, after more than 90 minutes had elapsed, Kim Young-gwon scored on a play that was initially ruled as offside. However, following a VAR review, the goal was deemed to be good and gave South Korea a 1-0 lead.

Later in stoppage time, Son Heung-min made it 2-0 with a back-breaking strike of his own.

Thanks to the loss, Mexico and Sweden will advance from Group F into the knockout round. Sweden beat Mexico 3-0 and would have advanced anyway, but Mexico would have been eliminated had Germany won. And despite the win, South Korea does not advance either.

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