Ten-man Germany clung to their World Cup dreams in the most dramatic fashion as Toni Kroos struck a 95th-minute winner against Sweden in Sochi.
Today's Games
After losing their opener to Mexico, it looked like being another Russian nightmare for Joachim Low’s side as they trailed at half time to an Ola Toivonen strike for Sweden after another disjointed display.
The defending champions rallied in the second half and levelled after just three minutes of the restart through Marco Reus.
They could not find a second goal though and it went from bad to worse when Jerome Boateng was sent off eight minutes from time before Sweden keeper Robin Olsen saved from a Mario Gomez close-range header.
Substitute Julian Brandt then struck a post in the 92nd minute and with that seemingly went Germany’s chances.
However, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Kroos fired in a wonderful free kick from the left hand side of the box to rescue his side right at the death.
From staring down the barrel, Germany now look in decent shape to progress from Group F as they’ve drawn level with Sweden on three points behind leaders Mexico on six.
The Germans now face South Korea in the final game knowing a win would put them through unless Sweden can defeat Mexico by a wider margin to sneak through.
Germany are now 1/16 favourites to qualify from Group F ahead of Mexico at 1/4 , while Sweden are seen as 15/8 shots after suffering late heartbreak.
GOAALLL!!!! A late, late winner for Germany as Toni Kroos bends in a brilliant free-kick!#GER #SWE #GERSWE #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Kt6yUs51Jt
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2018