From Stalingard to Kazan: Germany Cannot Win in Russia

For the first time in 80 years, Germany have exited the World Cup in the group stages.

Germany’s Toni Kross after the 2-0 loss to South Korea in their final Group F match in Kazan on 27 June. 

(Photo:AP)

Let’s put this into perspective. The last time Germany exited the World Cup in the first round, Hitler was the Chancellor. Eighty years since their 1938 football debacle in France, Germany is now the fourth side since 2002 to leave the World Cup in the group stage after having won the cup

Three other defending champions that have fallen prey to the ‘Champions Curse’ – France in 2002, Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014.

A 1-0 score line was enough for Germany to sail into the Round of 16. However, it appeared as though ‘Die Mannschaft’ were simply unable to score a goal at the match in Kazan on 27 June.

Exiting the World Cup is one thing. But Germany is not likely to forgive itself for losing to South Korea – a team that lost to Sweden and Mexico in their first two group matches and also managed to lose to Qatar and China in the qualifiers.

This is the first time since the 1938 World Cup in France that Germany made a group stage exit.(Photo: AP)

Germany’s attack lacked fluidity and there was no sense of urgency even after Sweden went a goal ahead against Mexico.

When Germany started the game, they were number two in Group F and a draw was sufficient to see them through since they had a head-to-head advantage over Sweden, who had the same points and goal difference as Germany after two group matches.

It was never going to be easy to score against a Korean side with all eleven players in the box, but the Germans never seemed to push enough to make even one goal materialise. They had a scrappy first-half, where they almost gifted South Korea a goal when Neuer spilled a free kick but managed to push the ball away.

Germany is now the fourth team since 2000 to exit the championship in the group stages after having previously won the cup. (Photo:AP)

In the second-half, Germany looked nervous. But there were no lack of opportunities for the Germans. They took 26 shots to South Korea’s 11, but the finishing touch was lacking.

Hummels and substitute Mario Gomez headed quite a few balls, but either they were way off target or were saved by South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, who was right on the money on the day – and was crowned a well-deserved Man of the Match title.

Thomas Mueller did not start for Germany against South Korea on Wednesday in Kazan for the first time since 2012.(Photo:AP)

Mueller, who did not start for Germany for the first time since 2012, failed to change the scoreline after he had been sent to replace Leon Goretzka in the 63rd minute.

Timo Werner, who started on the right wing only to move to the other side by the end of the match, was ineffective throughout the match, managing only wide shots and blocked shots.

There was a moment in the second half when there was end-to-end action, as both midfields had vanished. This was expected, considering Germany had taken off two midfielders for forwards. South Korea also had a lot more success on the counter attack.

In the last fifteen minutes Kroos, Gomez, Hummels went all guns blazing, taking shots from outside the box, pushing in headers but all in vain.

Instead, South Korea struck twice in the stoppage time to send the Germans back home.

Jogi Takes The Blame

Germany’s coach Joachim Loew recently signed a contract extension till 2022.(Photo:AP)

Joachim Loew, who took over in 2006 and recently signed a four-year contract extension till 2022, took responsibility for the catastrophe.

Ageing forward Mario Gomez and out-of-form Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil’s presence in the 23-man squad and the absence of Premier League young player of the year Leroy Sane may have hurt the Germans, who were also missing the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and World Cup-winning captain Philip Lamm in those dying minutes.

'The Russia Jinx’

Former English footballer Gary Linekar had once said, “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”

After the match, Lineker, tweeted: “Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans no longer always win. Previous version is confined to history.”

During World War 2, Germany and the Axis Forces had surrendered in Stalingard in Russia in 1943. And this humiliating World Cup match saw the German attack fizzle out, yet again, in Russia – proving once again that Germany cannot win in Russia, come what may.

Imagine how poetic it would have been had the match been played in Volgogard (present-day Stalingard) instead of Kazan Arena.

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