A tired German side stared into the abyss and then fell down it during the final minutes of their shock 2-0 defeat to South Korea, meaning a humiliating World Cup exit in the group stage. The future of coach Joachim Low is in doubt after a underwhelming tournament with only two goals in three matches.
Positives
It’s difficult, but … at least they tried? Until panicking midway through the second half, Germany controlled South Korea’s counters. They wanted it, but they were too tired to answer Sweden’s opening goal against Mexico in the group’s other fixture.
Negatives
Germany’s slow-motion football paired with a certain arrogance was never going to work out at this tournament. They were sedate while looking for ways to break down South Korea’s lines. Germany were strangely out of tune: too slow, too tired and they had no answers. Then they panicked.