Loew admits Germany had 'a bit of luck'
Germany coach Joachim Loew said his team were rewarded for not losing their nerve at the most critical moment as a 95th-minute free-kick from Toni Kroos secured a 2-1 win over Sweden on Sunday morning (June 24, Singapore time) that brought the World Cup holders back from the brink.
The reigning champions, who were reduced to 10 men after Jerome Boateng received his second yellow card in 82nd minute, were in deep trouble when Kroos stepped up to steer in his dramatic winner in the final minute of added time at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium.
Before that, a Kroos error had led to Ola Toivonen giving Sweden a 32nd-minute lead and even a Marco Reus equaliser early in the second half appeared to be only a temporary stay of execution for Loew’s men.
But the rescue act from Kroos is a huge lift to the holders.
They now have qualification for the last 16 back in their own hands ahead of their final Group F game against South Korea on Wednesday.
“We never lost hope. I think there was a bit of luck there with the goal scored in stoppage time, but it was a result of our belief in ourselves,” said Loew.
“Despite the adversity, the team kept their cool and turned it around.”
There is still no guarantee that they will avoid the fate of the last two World Cup holders, with Spain four years ago and Italy in 2010 both being knocked out in the group stage.
Not since 1938 have Germany been eliminated in the first round. However, this result will provide a significant boost to them and is a hammer blow to Sweden, who will face Mexico in their last match with all still to play for.
Mexico’s 2-1 win over South Korea earlier on Saturday had ensured Germany would be out in the event of a defeat, with a draw little better.
The late goal was especially sweet for Kroos, who was among the players to come in for stiff criticism in the wake of recent performances.
“We were criticised a lot, justifiably so in part, and a lot of people in Germany would have been pleased if we had gone out today,” he said.
Loew made changes following the 1-0 loss at the hands of Mexico, with Reus among the players coming in. But Germany soon found themselves up against it.
Sweden should have had an early penalty when Marcus Berg was released on goal and, at the point of shooting, was fouled by Boateng.
Berg’s effort was saved by Manuel Neuer. Boateng played the man and not the ball, but there was no penalty given and no recourse to the video assistant referee (VAR) by Polish official Szymon Marciniak. “If we have the system, it’s very unfortunate that he doesn’t feel he can go and have a look. If that’s his decision, we have to live with it,” said Sweden coach Janne Andersson.
It was still a warning for the Germans, who were then dealt a body blow – literally – when Sebastian Rudy was left with a bloodied nose after receiving a stray boot in the face.
Ilkay Guendogan replaced him, coming in alongside Kroos, who was at fault as Sweden went in front. His pass was pounced upon by the Swedes, who sprung forward, Viktor Claesson picking out Toivonen to control on his chest and lift the ball over Neuer.
However, it took just three minutes of the second half for the equaliser to arrive.
Timo Werner’s low ball from the left was behind Mario Gomez, who got a touch but not enough to put off Reus from bundling it in.
An onslaught followed, with Gomez twice coming close and fellow substitute Julian Brandt smacking a post late on, after Boateng's second yellow card.
Hope looked to be gone, but then Kroos exchanged passes with Reus at a free-kick on the left edge of the box and sent a sweet strike into the far corner, sparking wild celebrations.
“The fact Toni put it away like that is incredible – he has shown that talent on previous occasions. I pay my respect to him for doing what he did,” said Reus. – AFP
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