All Germany had to do was win today’s game against South Korea and they would’ve advanced to the Knockout Stage in the 2018 World Cup. After losing to Mexico then beating Sweden in the final minute, Germany controlled their own destiny when they went against South Korea. South Korea, who was already eliminated from the World Cup, played Germany hard and ended up beating Germany 2-0. This result meant that both Sweden and Mexico, who played today with Sweden winning 3-0, advance to the Knockout Stage while the defending World Cup champions Germany were sent home in the group stage.
Germany has not followed the last three defending World Cup winners in not making it past the group stage in the next World Cup. For Germany, it was their first time not making it past the group stage of the World Cup since 1938 under manager Die Mannschaft.
2 – This is only the second time that Germany have been eliminated from the First Round at the World Cup having last done so in 1938. Shock. #GER #KOR #KORGER #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jIZWOlxeEw
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 27, 2018
Germany qualified for the World Cup rather easily, but greatly struggled in their warm up games before coming to Russia. This showed in their lost to Mexico in their first World Cup game. They scored in the 90th minute against Sweden to temporarily save them, but couldn’t find a way to beat South Korea to advance. The German manager tried to shake things up, benching veteran Thomas Muller for the South Korea game. The game before, he benched Mesut Ozil for the win against Sweden.
Germany looked slow, confused and lacked a lot of things in the World Cup. Finishing at the bottom of Group F is a disappointment for Germany as they only managed to score two goals in their three World Cup games. Everyone from the strikers, to the midfielders, to their world class goalie Manuel Neuer was disappointing and will leave a bad taste in the mouths of the Germans and their fans.