The reigning 2014 champions Germany won’t be featuring in the second round of the World Cup for the first time since 1944. The talented side led by Joachim Low, viewed by many as one of the major favorites to win it all, crashed out of the group stage on Wednesday in a humiliating 2-0 loss to South Korea. All the Germans needed was to beat South Korea, considering Mexico had lost to Sweden, but the team couldn’t do it, falling behind and conceding two late goals, including an open-netter.
The defending champion has been eliminated in the group stage for the third consecutive World Cup. Spain, champions in 2010, crashed out of the group stage in 2014 and Italy, champions in 2006, crashed out early in 2010.
Kim Young-Gwon scored the opener 92 minutes in with the help of VAR (video assistant referee). The South Korean player appeared to be offside, but replay showed he received the ball from a German player and not his teammate. Four minutes later, Son Heung-Min went on goal with no goalkeeper, as Manuel Neuer was attacking, and he finished with ease for the 2-0 victory.
