Germany humbled by Korea amid more World Cup simultaneous match drama
It's becoming apparent that the last round of group-stage matches is indisputably the best phase of the World Cup.
Look no further than the chaos in Group B just two days prior for the sheer drama that playing a pair of decisive games simultaneously can have on both matches.
There was nothing to suggest from the outset that Group F would explode into such dramatic promises of possibility the way it did, with Mexico seemingly in control of its own destiny and Sweden arguably an outsider's chance of progression.
Germany should have advanced on its own steam, despite being out of sorts, against a Korean side relying on a healthy Mexican win and a shock victory over Germany.
Just look at the way the group was set up heading in to the final day. There was no way Mexico could botch this. And despite being generally awful in Russia, defending champion Germany was still a favourite to progress.
Instead, footballing lunacy and pandemonium took over.
Sweden, which just about squeaked through qualifying to reach the World Cup, proceeded to blow Mexico away, dismantling a team that had impressed every man and his dog in beating the Germans and Koreans so comprehensively.
By going 1-0 up, Mexico was still home and hosed, ahead of Sweden on goal difference. 2-0 up, however, and the tables had been turned.
But 3-0 up, and suddenly it was pure nightmare fuel for Mexico, which out of nowhere had a negative goal difference, was hanging on to second place, and at risk of elimination if Germany could beat Korea as expected.
To put this into context, it's pretty much unthinkable that a team that wins its opening two matches at a World Cup could then suddenly be eliminated after three games. But that's the stark reality that faced El Tri and its legions of fans clad in green, frantically checking their phones in the stand for updates from Germany's match in Kazan.
Germany was struggling again to break down a team sitting deep. But anyone who knows their World Cup history knows that Germany, inevitably, finds a way.
Die Mannschaft huffs, puffs, and gets nothing for it
After a nervy first half, Germany proceeded to push, prod and probe Korea again and again, but each time was repelled by a stubborn defence and unbeatable goalkeeper.
South Korean stopper Cho Hyun-woo put on a goalkeeping clinic to keep Germany's attack at bay.
Toni Kroos looked determined to conjure up another winner like he did against Sweden. The so-often-criticised Mesut Ozil was in the mood to create a string of chances.
But with Mario Gomez unable to convert anything that came his way, nothing seemed to be coming off for the defending champions.
Kroos hammered a goal-bound shot at Cho, who again produced a stunning stop to deny the Germans. Ozil laid on seven chances for his team. None found their way into the onion bag.
Germany's most glaring opportunity came as an Ozil cross found Mats Hummels completely free in the box. Priming to plant a header past the keeper, Hummels instead mistimed it completely, shouldering it comically wide of goal.
In Ekaterinburg, Sweden was cruising at 3-0. Mexico's fans were distraught. From their end, an inexplicable exit now seemed inevitable.
Back in Kazan, the stalemate still stood. The fourth official's board went up for injury time — a mammoth six minutes on offer. It was almost like an invitation to take the win, in true German fashion.
But first, a Korean corner in the first minute of stoppage time.
Son Hyeung-min hammered it in low. Skidding off the turf, it found its way to Yun Young-sun who appeared to stab it towards the unmarked Kim Young-gwon, who side footed home.
A brief sense of shock and confusion. This certainly wasn't in the script. But almost as quickly, the linesman's flag was up. Everyone back in their seats. Germany's World Cup destiny wasn't going to be suppressed that easily.
VAR turns up, and suddenly all bets are off
Kim immediately looked towards the ref as the linesman held his flag aloft. Korea was going to appeal this, but it looked a foregone conclusion. Even to the naked eye, the would-be goalscorer was well ahead of the defensive line.
The wait began. German players prepared for a free kick. Korean players tracked back up the field.
Then TV viewers saw the reverse angle. Inexplicably, Germany's Kroos had made the telling touch — practically a toe-poked pass — to the waiting Kim. The Korean had been played onside.
The referee signalled for the VAR review. Running over to the screen, the evidence was there that Kroos had stabbed a pass through Sule's legs towards Kim.
The whistle went. The goal was awarded, South Korea was 1-0 up, and Germany was staring down the barrel.
The press went up. The dispirited champions pushed everyone high up in desperation, including keeper Manuel Neuer.
And it was exactly that move that sealed Germany's fate officially.
External Link: SBS The World Game tweets Another goal! 2-0 to South Korea
Neuer was practically a midfield player as he desperately tried to avoid Ju Se-jong in Korean territory, but the substitute nipped the ball off the stranded keeper, launched a raking long ball towards the sprinting Son, who finished with consummate ease from a sharp angle.
Mexican tears turn to joy; Korea closer than you'd think
Germany squeezed one last token, powderpuff attack to close out the match, prompting one more spectacular save from Cho between the sticks.
The result was in the bag. Mexico, looking down and out after an out-of-sorts showing against Sweden, was safe — just — and Germany was going home.
Back in Ekaterinburg, the news hadn't quite been relayed to Mexico's players, who still looked distraught as Sweden's players roared themselves hoarse in celebration of their progression.
But soon enough, there was sweet, sweet relief to El Tri ears as news filtered through of Korea's win — some five minutes after full time in Mexico's match — confirming a round-of-16 clash with Group E's top team.
Spare a thought for South Korea, too. After two match days, it needed to stun Germany (which it did), and hope for a more conventional Mexican win over Sweden.
Sweden instead produced something of a shock itself, progressing at South Korea's expense.
But that didn't stop Korean fans and players celebrating emphatically at the final whistle, having secured a monumental result against the German giant.
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