‘Dark day for German football’ after World Cup elimination

The celebrations came after South Korea sent shockwaves through the football world by defeating Germany 2-0 in Kazan in the final group game of the 2018 World Cup to send the world champions home.

As CBS Sports pointed out in a tweet, this is the first time Germany has been eliminated in the first round of a World Cup since 1938.

Fans of Mexico, which secured a place in the next round due to South Korea’s win, mobbed random Koreans on the street and expressed their gratitude.

“It’s very, very hard to put it into words”, said Germany defender Mats Hummels, a member of the team that won in Brazil four years ago.

On social media, fans depicted Kim in the style of a Mexican saint, created mashups of the South Korean and Mexican flags and digitally added the Korean flag to El Zocalo, the main square in Mexico City.

In fact, they have become the first team from AFC to have scored against Germany in 24 years, since Germany beat Korea 3-2 in the 1994 World Cup.

South Korea, which earlier fell to Sweden and Mexico, finished third in Group F with three points, while netting three goals and conceding three.

Needless to say, Twitterati lost its cool over Germany’s elimination.

At this stage, there was nothing to lose for Germany and Neuer soon made his way into the opposition half in a last-ditch effort to help his side force a goal. That’s when South Korea stepped up.

The jubilation continued for South Korea although there was also disappointment in not progressing.

Germany was becoming desperate but Cho was huge in the goal yet all expected the world champ to do what it always does: get a goal when needed.

Victory will confirm Brazil as group winners, but coach Tite is warning that under-fire superstar Neymar can not be expected to win the World Cup on his own and is not yet at full fitness.

South Korea managed to seal the win in the sixth minute of time added on, with Son Heung-min slotting into an empty net after Neuer was caught out at the other end of the field. Originally called out for offside, the goal was given after video review. “The negative things we just have to try to forget”.

The same fate befell Spain (2014), Italy (2010) and France (2002) in recent tournaments. How are we going to be unsafe to an opponent if we do not get our performance (right)?

Andreas Granqvist converted the 18th successful penalty of the 2018 World Cup, when he put Sweden 2-0 up against Mexico.

World Cup Daily: Germany are out, while Brazil are not.