Germany have come back from the precipice of likely elimination to pull off an utterly extraordinary 2-1 victory over Sweden in Sochi.
With a free kick on the edge of the area in the 95th minute of the game, Toni Kroos stepped up and slotted a world-class strike that Sweden keeper Robin Olsen would do very little about.
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The pressure was right on the Germans before and during the match, as Joachim Loew named a starting line-up minus Mesut Ozil, in answer to a lacklustre Germany that had failed to score against Mexico.
The opening stages of the match belonged to a German team possessed, determined to right many wrongs that were displayed against Mexico in those first ten minutes. However, for all the possession, territory, shots, and dominance, it was Germany who found themselves behind just after the half-hour mark, through a counter-attacking Sweden and an Ola Toivonen lob.
For the remainder of the first half, Germany attacked, but their attack just seemed to lack that killer instinct and necessary cohesion.
Germany came out firing in the second half, grabbing an equaliser through Marcos Reus, and Germany’s hopes of a successful cup defence were back on track.
Germany owned the second half. However, there was another twist in the tale, with Jerome Boateng seeing red as he received a second yellow in the 82nd minute, and Germany chasing a result down a man.
Down that man and with the last moments of stoppage time ticking away, Toni Kroos scored a goal of such sheer and utter brilliance that only a truly world-class player with ice in their veins could have finished off the shot that has kept his country’s World Cup defence alive.
Kroos, who had earlier given Sweden the opener with lost possession in the midfield, stepped up and saved his country, and Germany will face South Korea with their own fate in their own hands. He put in a performance this match to personally carry Germany over the line, involving himself in everything.
It was fitting that the man to win the match for Germany, was Kroos, and not just win it, but do so in a fashion that required a strike of perfection and precision. If anything, Kroos was the only man capable of doing it.
Sweden will feel very much aggrieved, having not only survived an opening barrage of German attack to take the lead, but having had a legitimate early penalty call not even reviewed. Had that penalty been given, and Sweden taken the two-goal lead, the result would likely have been abundantly, and far-reachingly, different.
Still, Sweden remain alive in this cup, and they will need to beat Mexico, and beat them well, to proceed to the knockout stages.
A classic in Sochi.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
I like Belgium, but they can’t defend I think England are going to land on the east side of the draw . I also wouldn’t rule out Ronaldo dragging Portugal to the final either .
Fadida
Guest
England? Yet to see any evidence. Belgium however...
marron
Guest
1 point leaving 2 teams above in the box seat with 1 match to play? I don't think so. The "grab the ball and run back to the centre" is seen in every league around the world when teams pull a goal back or draw level. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I wouldn't say it's anything that singles out the stereotypical German discipline we are all so eager to identify.
MQ
Guest
No marron, there are teams which would have been ecstatic about equalising and settled for the 1-1 draw.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Agreed Matt. Thank you for joining me for the ride.
marron
Guest
Doing this is standard, you see it every week in leagues around the world. The Tunisian did it at 5-2 with nothing left on the clock.
User
Roar Rookie
Absolute classic, well worth missing sleep for.
shirtpants
Roar Guru
Its equally as inconsistent as the referee. I'm not really understanding how some blatant fouls are being missed.
me too
Guest
Just wondering what is the point of VAR - obvious penalties missed by the ref in this game and the Sebian one. Less obvious ones such the the French v us and us v Denmark pulled up by VAR. It seems no different using it as not using it. And why the heck do they expect the ref to leave the field amongst all that pressure, and review it on a tiny tv screen? Just have an expert ref call it from a video room under far less pressure. It just seems so poorly and inconsistently administered.
jamesb
Guest
We could have a situation where Mexico, Germany and Sweden all finish on 6 points. Btw, Korea Rep. is not out of it yet. They need to beat Germany and rely on Mexico beating Sweden. What makes it even more difficult is they probably need to beat Germany by a two goal margin, or hope that Mexico beat Sweden by 2 goals.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Mexico can get knocked out if Sweden beat them Assuming Germany beat Korea
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Var is missing another rugby tackle penalty That’s about 4 now in the tournament Stupid that Sweden didn’t run into the corner and waste time However Great free kick to win it Spain v England final coming up
Rellum
Roar Guru
I watched the replay this morning from the 55th minute. Is there any reason that there was 5 minutes of injury time I missed. That seemed extremely excessive. The Sweds sat back to much though.
MQ
Guest
Speaking of Germany's tough, uncompromising, focused mental approach to the World Cup, it's interesting having a look at Reus' equalising goal at the 47th min. No wild celebrations, no jumping for joy, no expending energy running madly around the pitch, Reus grabs the ball out of the net to bring it back to the middle. The job is not done, there's more to do, the Germans save the celebrating for when the 3 points are in the bag.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
If any sporting team in the world wants to learn what it means to dig deep under pressure & adversity, this surely has to be the benchmark. What a game. And I thought nothing would beat the Spain v Portugal match. This pales in comparison for pure theatre. They’re not the World Champions for nothing.
cantab
Guest
They will very likely have Brazil in the round of 16. Will be interesting.
MQ
Guest
These are the sorts of incredible feats for which the Germans are renowned. It's a sure sign that they will make the semi-final stage at a minimum (yet again).
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
30 seconds from world cup elimination ... die hard.