World Cup 2018: South Korea vs Germany prediction, team news and preview with Group F up for grabs
Reigning champions were on the brink of elimination before a sensational come back against Sweden while South Korea are heading home after two defeats
GERMANY were a minute or so from being dumped, before Toni Kroos’ last-second winner against the Swedes - potentially a goal that changed the destiny of the entire tournament.
But for all they created plenty of chances, they were anything but the smooth, efficient machine we expect from them at the World Cup. The bottom line, though, is they fight on.
Even so, second slot behind Mexico is likely - and they could still be out if Korea, already out barring an absolute miracle, pull off a sensational win.
The nation expects: For Germany, they never expect anything less than glory. They will demand the same tempo as against Sweden, but with a more clinical end product - and not quite so late!
South Korea basically expect very little now. They know the huge win they need to even have a sniff won’t happen and it is a case of salvaging pride before packing their bags.
Best bet: After their loss to Mexico, Germany looked down and facing an incredible early World Cup exit.
That continued into their Sweden game, conceding early on.
But once they equalised, the Germans looked like a revitalised team, grabbing the winner and now they have the momentum going into their final group match.
have Germany to beat South Korea 3-1 at juicy 9/1.
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Star men: Germany will see most of the ball and it’s whether they can convert their chances into goals this time. The pace of Timo Werner and Julian Brandt - as and when he comes off the bench - will be vital.
Korea’s biggest threat comes from Spurs striker Heung-Min Son, who hit a screamer in their loss to Mexico.
Weakest links: For all their usual efficiency, Germany have looked a little shaky defensively and Jerome Boateng is suspended. They must be wary of their marauding full backs leaving gaps, too.
Korea have lacked creativity, as well as focusing a little too much on the muscle instead of the magic. Defeat would set a World Cup worst run for them of five straight losses at the tournament.
Likely line-ups and teamtalks: Mats Hummels is likely to replace the banned Jerome Boateng, while Bayern team-mate Niklas Sule could partner him after Antonio Rudiger’s dodgy Swedish show.
Neuer; Kimmich, Sule, Hummels, Hector; Gundogan, Kroos; Muller, Draxler, Reus; Werner
Korea are without Ki Sung-yueng, who has a damaged calf. Jung Wooyoung is likely to replace him in midfield.
Cho; Y Lee, Jang, YG Kim, MW Kim; Moon, Ju, Jung, Hwang; JS Lee, HM Son
Fact me:
- Two of the three matches between South Korea and Germany have been at World Cup finals, with the Germans winning both contests (1994, 2002).
- The most recent World Cup meeting between South Korea and Germany was at the Koreans’ home World Cup in 2002, with the hosts losing 1-0 in the semi-finals.
- South Korea’s only victory against Germany came in a friendly match in 2004 (3-1).
- Germany have won all five of their World Cup games against Asian opponents, scoring 19 goals in total and keeping clean sheets in each of their last three.
- South Korea have lost their last four World Cup matches in a row, their joint-worst run – they also lost four in a row between 1986 and 1990.
- Germany’s victory over Sweden was their first at the World Cup when conceding first since 1998, a 2-1 win over Mexico.
- Son Heung-Min attempted eight shots in South Korea’s defeat to Mexico – three more than South Korea managed in their opening match against Sweden (five shots).
- Germany have won 15 of their last 17 competitive matches (D1 L1) since losing 2-0 to France at Euro 2016.
- South Korea have conceded a penalty goal in each of their last two World Cup matches – they had conceded just one goal via a penalty in their previous 29 World Cup games combined.
- Toni Kroos’ goal against Sweden was the latest goal scored by Germany in normal time at the World Cup (94:42) – Kroos has been involved in five goals in his last five World Cup games (3 goals, 2 assists).