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The 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Saturday, June 23 evening with defending champions Germany scoring a late 2-1 comeback win over Sweden at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.
Germany seemed to have learned their lessons from the loss to Mexico as they put pressure on Sweden from the start but early chances for Draxler and Hector were wasted, and Germany continued to make mistakes like Rüdiger in the 12th minute as Berg was sudden through but a last ditch effort from Boateng and Neuers hand saved the situation which could have been giving as a penalty.
Germany lost their way a little in the 25th minute as Sebastian Rudy was hit unintentionally by Toivonen in the face with an injury to his nose. The German medical team tried to get him back to the pitch but it took too long and a 10 men Germany were suddenly seeing Sweden combine and play football. Just seconds after Gündogan came on, Kroos played a deadly miss pass, Sweden intercepted and send Toivonen on the journey and his chip beat Neuer in the German goal.
The world champions were shocked and Sweden just before the break had a couple of chances to enhance their lead, but only took a 1-0 lead into the break, which would have meant exit for Germany.
The second session started with a determined Germany and they got the equaliser in the 48th minute, a Werner cross from the left, a Gomez contact and the knee of Marco Reus, 1-1. Germany were back in the game.
Germany upped the pressure and the tempo, Sweden had their problems but rarely were there good chances and then Germany were reduced to 10 men as Boateng received his second yellow card of the night for a foul on Berg. Still the world champions continued to attack, first a Gomez header was somehow put over the crossbar by Olsen, then substitute Brandt like against Mexico hit the post and then the fifth minute of added time, the final free-kick. Kroos pushes forward, Reus stops and Kroos curls one in. Germany win late and stay in the tournament.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Group F
Germany 2-1 (0-1) Sweden
Goals: 0-1 Ola Toivonen (32′), 1-1 Marco Reus (48′), 1-2 Toni Kroos (90’+5)
Germany: Neuer – Kimmich, J. Boateng, Rüdiger, J. Hector (87′ Brandt) – Rudy (31′ Gündogan), T. Kroos – T. Müller, Reus, Draxler (46′ Gomez) – Ti. Werner
Subs: ter Stegen, Trapp, Ginter, Plattenhardt, Süle, Goretzka, Khedira, Özil
Sweden: Olsen – Lustig, Lindelöf, Granqvist, Augustinsson – Larsson, Ekdal – Claesson (74′ Durmaz), Forsberg – Berg (90′ Kiese Thelin), Toivonen (78′ Guidetti)
Subs: Johnsson, Nordfeldt, Helander, Jansson, Krafth, Martin Olsson, Hiljemark, Rohden, G. Svensson
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Man of the Match: Marco Reus (Germany)
