- Paul Corcoran
- Thu, Jun 28 2018
Goals from Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min saw the holders Germany crash out of the 2018 World Cup as South Korea recorded a famous 2-0 victory in Kazan.
The Koreans' chances of progression were slim going into the game, while Germany knew even a win may not be enough depending on results elsewhere, but Korea played with the greater urgency.
South Korea came closest early on with a free-kick in a great position. Jang Hyun-soo struck the free-kick well but the ball was directed too close to Manuel Neur.
Neuer, however, was caught by the spin of the ball and spilled it. Son closed the keeper down quickly but the German just managed to slap the ball away from danger.
Korea came close again minutes later as a stretch of pressure on the German defence saw the ball bounce around the box a number of times before falling to Son Heung-min.
Son had a great chance to volley home just metres from the goal but the Tottenham player blasted the ball wide.
Germany, although they had the bulk of possession, were finding it extremely difficult to break this South Korean side down but they came close to ending the deadlock deep into the first half.
Mesut Ozil first played a lovely ball through to Timo Werner but his shot was deflected behind for a corner kick.
The resulting ball from the corner found itself to Werner waiting at the back post. He played a neat ball to Hummels, and the German did well to hold on to the ball while surrounded by defenders, but goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo got there to smother the ball.
In the opening minutes of the second half Germany were denied the lead after a great save from Cho Hyun-Woo.
Kimmich played an inch-perfect cross for Goretzka, and his header looked destined for the net but Hyun-woo pulled of a save at full stretch to deny the reigning World Champions a goal.
For the remainder of the game the Germans searched for a winner but the Korean team seemed unbreakable.
Joachim Low’s side had their chances in the final minutes of the game with Matts Hummels missing a sitter directly in front of goal when he struck the ball with his shoulder rather than his head.
Kroos then had a long range effort denied by Hyeonwoo in the Korean goal.
There was late drama in this one however. With six minutes of added time, and Germany’s World Cup defence hanging in the balance, it was South Korea who took the lead in injury time.
Kim scored after a Korean corner kick found its way all the way across the box to the far post with the defender able to blast the ball into the net from close range.
He wheeled away in delight but the officials ruled it offside. A VAR review followed, and the referee turned the decision over and allowed the goal to stand.
The Germans needed two goals but time was running out and they pushed forward looking for a route back Neuer was pushed up and away from his goal as an extra outfield player.
South Korea got a hold of the ball and cleared while under intense German pressure. The ball broke deep into the German half and Son tore up the field.
The Tottenham Hotspur hotshot got to the ball before it rolled out wide and simply tapped it into the German goal to clinch a famous win for South Korea over Germany.
South Korea: Cho Hun-woo; Yun Young-sun, Kim Young-gwon, Lee Yong, Jang Hyun-soo, Hong Chul; Jung Woo-young, Lee Jae-sung, Koo Ja-cheol (Hwang Hee-chan, 56/ Go Yo-han, 79), Son Heung-min; Moon Seon-min (Ju Se-yong, 70).
Subs not used: Kim Seung-gyu (gk), Kim Jin-hyeon (gk), Ki Sung-yeung, Kim Shin-wook, Lee Seung-woo, Jung Seung-hyeon, Kim min-woo, Park Joo-Ho, Oh Ban-suk.
Booked: Jung Woo-young (9), Lee Jae-sung (23), Moon Seon-min (48), Son Heung-min (65).
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Jonas Hector, Mats Hummels, Niklas Sule; Leon Goretzka (Thomas Muller, 63), Sami Khedira (Mario Gomez, 57), Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus; Timo Werner.
Subs not used: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (gk), Kevin Trapp (gk), Jerome Boateng, Julian Brandt, Julian Draxler, Matthias Ginter, Ilkay Gundogan, Marvin Plattenhardt, Antonio Rudiger, Sebastian Rudy.
Booked: None.
Referee: Mark Geiger (United States).
Attendance: 41,835 (official).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Cho Hyun-woo (South Korea).
