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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.
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