Defending champions Germany have been dumped out of the World Cup after a shocking 2-0 loss to Korea Republic. With Germany losing their first game of the 2018 edition of the Mundial after winning the tournament in 2014, fears began to arise if the bad omen of defending champions not making it into the next round would continue.
Germany went into their second game against Sweden knowing they needed a win to keep qualification hopes alive; and win they did! The defending champions fell behind to Sweden in the first half but came back fighting in the second half as Marco Reus struck early on to restore parity. Toni Kroos then broke Swedish hearts with a sumptuous freekick right at the death to seal all three points for the champions. But on the day it mattered most, the champions fell by two late goals to a rather profligate Korea Republic in Kazan.
With three points in two games Germany needed to defeat the Koreans by as many goals as possible, considering Mexico and Sweden who had six and three points with +2 and 0 goals difference respectively were up against each other in the final group game. At half time, the score remained level in both match centres but things soon escalated between Sweden and Mexico.
In the second half Sweden took the lead against the group leaders to put themselves in a better position to qualify and didn’t look back from then on as they later added two more goals to seal a spot in the next round.
The Germans however toiled in Kazan but the Korean goalkeeper was incredible for his side as they leave Russia with their heads held high.
Sweden top Group F with 6 points and a goals difference of +3 while Mexico come in second with 6 points and -1 goal difference. Korea Republic ended their World Cup campaign in third position with the defending champions rock bottom of the Group with -2 goals difference.
With Germany’s exit from the Russia 2018 World Cup the trend continues, as every team that has won the World Cup since 2006 haven’t made it past the group stage. Italy was eliminated in 2010 after winning it in 2006, Spain knocked out in 2010 as defending champions, now Germany follow suit after lifting the trophy in 2014.
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