South Korea knock champions Germany out of World Cup
By Defending champions Germany have been eliminated from the 2018 World Cup after going down 2-0 to South Korea in stunning fashion.
For the first since 1938, Germany has not progressed past the group stage of the tournament. Goals from Kim Young-
gwon and Son Heung-min ensured Joachim Low and his side were amazingly heading home, with Mexico and Sweden qualifying for the round of 16.
Heading into the game Germany needed to win to ensure its spot in the next round, ahead of Sweden who faced Mexico. They needed the Mexicans to beat their European neighbours. Germany made five changes with Thomas Muller controversially dropped in favour ofMesit Ozil. South Korea, who were practically already eliminated after two back-to-back losses, made four changes.
It was a drab first half which the Germans dominated in terms of possession, but not chances. Low’s team had 80% of the ball but only managed four shots, the same number as the Koreans did. Die Mannschaft lackedcutting edge and finishing to convert their endeavor into goals. Arguably the best chance of the half come to Son, after a mistake by Manuel Neuer.
Ozil had a decent impact, along with with Toni Kroos but his teammates could not convert his incisive passes. South Korea were working hard to frustrate their European opponents. It remained 0-0 at half-time with Germany left with everything to do and forced into too many sideways passes.
In the second half, just three minutes in, Leon Goretzka forced a good save out of keeper Cho Hyun-woo. Then Joshua Kimmich and Sami Khedira rained in shots but South Korea blocked both. Germany’s frustration grew. In the 57th minute Khedira was replaced by Mario Gomez. South Korea’s strategy of staying compact in midfield and attacking on the break was working perfectly.
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