KAZAN, June 27, 2018 (News Wires) - Defending world champions Germany crashed out of the World Cup after a shock 2-0 loss to South Korea on Wednesday, courtesy of two stoppage-time goals. South Korea's Kim Young-gwon scored in added time following a video review and Son Heung-min added another goal just before the final whistle. The four-time winners, who had not been eliminated in a World Cup first round since 1938, were a shadow of their once dominant selves, managing only two goals in their three group games. South Korea, also eliminated, had the best early chance of the game when Germany keeper Manuel Neuer spilled a free kick in the 19th minute but managed to recover quickly and slap the ball away. Nervous Germany increased the pressure after the break and poured forward but despite a one-sided second half they could not find the back of the net before South Korea's last-gasp double. Joachim Low's team dominated but unable to find the goal they needed to beat South Korea in Kazan as Sweden beat Mexico in Ekaterinburg. And as they chased the stoppage-time goal they needed to survive they conceded, fired past Manuel Neuer by Kim Young-won after a corner. Initially Mark Geiger and his on-field team of officials gave offside by but the video assistant referees (VAR) noticed the final touch had come from Toni Kroos and the decision was reversed. Geiger gave the goal, quite rightly and South Korea celebrated beating the Germans for only the second time in their history. Son Heung-min scored a second, on the break with not even a goalkeeper in the goal to him. Neuer was at the other end of the pitch. South Korea also go out at this stage but the big noise will be about Germany, victims of what is becoming the champions curse. Just like Spain in Brazil, Italy in South Africa and France in Japan and South Korea, they failed to progress from the group. That was the theory, at least. This subdued first-half performance, however, hinted at deeper problems in Low's team. Germany were sluggish, untidy in possession and low on creative ideas and quality in advanced areas. Mesut Ozil was recalled and Leon Goretzka of Schalke called in with Thomas Muller and Julian Draxler both left out. South Korea adopted the strategy which helped Mexico and Sweden give the Germans trouble, sitting deep to defend and springing out quickly. Son Heung-min, captain in the absence of Ki Sun-yeung led the line for the Koreans and was close to giving them the lead when Manuel Neuer spilled what ought to have been a routine save, a free-kick fired straight the goalkeeper by Jung Woo-yung. The ball wobbled in flight and Neuer could not hold on but he did recover with terrific speed and courage to push the rebound wide and ensure Son did not force it over the line. Germany dominated the ball but Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo was rarely extended in the first half beyond fielded some crosses and set-pieces and smothering one dangerous situation at the feet of Mats Hummels. Spurs favourite Son went close again when a cross from the right by full-back Lee Yong was not cleared by Niklas Sule, who was preferred to Antonio Rudiger in central defence, with Jerome Boateng was serving a one-match ban for a red card. Sule's header dropped to Son around the edge of the penalty area and he unleashed a dipping volley which flashed narrowly over Neuer's goal. The second half was far more open with South Korea aware they had to win if they were to stay in the World Cup and while the Swedish goals in Ekaterinburg killed their hopes they fuelled the urgency in the German camp. Sweden and Mexico both qualified for the round of 16 at the World Cup after the Swedes won 3-0 in their Group F match on Wednesday. Having dominated the first half, Sweden went ahead with a fortuitous goal in the 51st minute when Viktor Claesson completely mis-kicked his shot but the ball flew straight to Ludwig Augustinsson who fired past Guillermo Ochoa. The Swedes extended their lead in the 62nd minute when Andreas Granqvist fired home a penalty after the referee ruled that Marcus Berg had been fouled by Hector Moreno. The referee did not call for a VAR review despite Mexican protests. Mexico's misery was compounded when Edson Alvarez put the ball in his own net in the 74th minute. But both teams finished on six points and qualified, three ahead of Germany who lost 2-0 to South Korea. Sweden topped the group on goal difference.
