Kroos gives Germany a second chance, but can the world champs take it?
Related Story: Kroos wondergoal saves Germany at the death against Sweden
With one true swing of the right boot, Toni Kroos gave Germany life again.
Less than a minute from a result which would have left their hopes in the far from trustworthy hands of their rivals, the world champions were handed the rarest of World Cup gifts — a second chance.
For a large portion of its game against Sweden, Germany looked like becoming the latest in a long line of fallen champions, and the fourth reigning champ in the past five World Cups to bow out in the group stage.
Down to a delightfully delicate Ola Toivanen chip at the break, Marco Reus pulled it back level straight after half-time, but a draw would not have been enough to secure a good night's sleep for the Germans. This was a must-win game, and for about 94 minutes that task looked unachievable.
And then, Kroos. The man who had been so lacklustre in the heart of a sluggish midfield against Mexico, and who had sloppily given the ball away for Sweden's shell-shocking opener, stood over the dead ball and produced something truly special.
His free-kick, one of unbelievable technique and audacity, was not only redemption for his struggling team but for himself. Kroos knows what pressure feels like, a career with Real Madrid and Germany ensures that, and he embraced this moment like he was born for it.
But the time for reflection and celebration is short for Germany. This result merely spares them the executioner's axe for one game more, and won't be enough to take Die Mannschaft off the chopping block for good.
If Joachim Low can't see his team's problems now, he never will. The fact the same issues that were blindingly apparent against Mexico remained on show against Sweden is cause for concern enough, but should they appear again against South Korea or in the second round, Low will cop a pasting from fans and press alike back home.
His side's suicidally high line, deployed using defenders and midfielders who aren't especially quick and with the full-backs heavily advanced, has been exposed by both Germany's opponents so far.
Against Mexico, one of the most impressive sides of the tournament so far, Germany was lucky as El Tri wasted many a promising counter-attacking opportunity. Sweden wasn't as swift as Mexico on the break, but still broke Germany open much too easily, scoring once in transition and making a serious claim for a penalty with another.
Really good teams, the sorts of teams the Germans would have expected to play from the quarter-finals onwards, will not be so generous. Play with fire against Spain, Brazil, Belgium, France or maybe even this current England team, and the result will be a frightful burning.
On the ball, Germany is patient and pretty but its uncharacteristic wastefulness has been a killer. Thomas Muller, normally a marksman to be feared at the World Cup, has barely had a sniff and young striker Timo Werner has not yet played to his potential — that Low has turned to Mario Gomez off the bench in both games stinks of desperation.
Reus's inclusion reaped rewards, but came at the expense of Mesut Ozil, a player whose craft is confused for nonchalance and was made to pay a price for the Mexico loss. There is room for both in a Germany side functioning properly.
So we wait for answers as to the validity of Germany's challenge, and whether Kroos's moment of magic is the sort of morale-boost that inspires a spirited resurgence or just a feel-good highlight that papers over the substantial cracks.
Perhaps the only thing we know is that, now more than ever, you can never really count out the Germans.
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