In what was the most fiercely fought group in this World Cup so far, Germany finished last in Group F with a despiriting 2-0 loss against South Korea on Wednesday, 27 June.
After losses to Sweden and Mexico, the South Koreans were already eliminated. They were expected to have a hard time holding a resurgent German team coming off a spectacular last minute win against the Swedes.
However, the Asian superpower had other plans. Generational talent Son Heung-min, wearing the captain’s armband, did his country proud by putting the contest beyond doubt deep into stoppage time.
This goal sealed the deal right after Kim Young-gwon’s 92nd minute shot was upheld after VAR review.
Since Germany needed a win, they threw in everything and everyone, including ‘keeper Manuel Neuer to work a moment of magic in the 6 minutes of injury time left. This allowed Ju Se-jong to dispossess Neuer and immediately fly the ball out to a waiting Heung-min, who tapped the ball into the net at the other end.
South Korea’s famous win came on the back of a stellar defensive effort through the 90 minutes, with Germany controlling 74 percent of the possession and having 28 shots. This was also due to the Die Mannschaft squandering a lot of clear chances at goal, with Mario Gomez and Mats Hummels failing to convert.
With Sweden beating Mexico with a convincing 3-0 win in the other Group F match played simultaneously, the Korean Republic and Germany ended third and fourth respectively in the group and crashed out of the competition.
(For complete FIFA World Cup 2018 coverage, click here to visit our special WC page)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)