Reigning world champions Germany suffer shock exit with 0-2 loss to South Korea
Reigning world champions Germany failed to progress past the first round for the first time in 80 years after losing to South Korea 0-2 in an exciting game.
Germany could have progressed to the knockout rounds with a win, but they were toothless against the determined Asian side. They were totally ineffective and unconvincing.
Stoppage-time goals from Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min finished off Joachim Loew’s sorry Germany side, who finished bottom of the group on three points.
They have won four World Cup titles and also finished runners-up four times and entered this year’s tournament heavily backed to retain their title.
Instead they will head home after a stunning failure, having been unable to break down the South Koreans and after a shock 0-1 loss to Mexico in their opening group match.
Germany's Toni Kroos, the free kick hero in the 2-1 win over Sweden, tried desperately to spark his side into action in the second half but was denied by South Korea’s heroic Cho Hyun-woo in the 88th, one of a number of fine saves by the keeper.
But it was Kim Young-gwon who broke the deadlock in added time when he found himself alone in front of goal after a corner and he poked the ball home from close range.
Moments later Son sprinted to retrieve a long ball, with Germany keeper Neuer having left his goal to try to help his side get a goal, and the Korean striker fired a low shot into the net to wrap up the win and leave the Germans distraught.
