KAZAN ARENA, June 27: Germany crashed out of the World Cup today after a stoppage-time VAR-assisted goal from Young-gwon Kim and a late second by Son Heungmin earned South Korea a famous 2-0 win.
The Germans needed to beat Korea by two clear goals in their final group F match at Kazan stadium to advance to the last 16.
But Joachim Loew�s men wasted a series of chances in a tense match that saw a pale version of the world champions become the fourth holders of the title this century to be sent packing at the first hurdle.
Germany�s team of superstars could only look on in shock in the final minutes of the match as US referee Mark Geiger called for the video assistant referee to intervene after the unmarked Kim had bundled his shot past Germany �keeper Manuel Neuer from a corner early in stoppage time.
The goal was awarded because Toni Kroos� touch had played him onside, and minutes later Germany were 2-0 down after Neuer ran up the pitch in a desperate attempt to get a goal.
A long punt upfield saw Tottenham forward Son chase a clearance to fire into an empty net.
It means Germany, the four-time champions who had competed in the past 16 editions of the World Cup, fail to make it past the first hurdle of the tournament since 1938.
Germany coach Joachim Loew caused a surprise by leaving midfield attacking stalwart Thomas Mueller on the bench for the first time since 2012 after his underwhelming displays against Mexico and Sweden. � AFP
