Germany 2-1 Sweden: Kroos scores late comeback winner to regain slim hopes of progressing

Germany's hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout phase were hanging in the balance before Toni Kroos scored a stoppage-time free-kick.

Match Events

2' Draxler miss excellent chances!

Almost an early goal for Germany! Werner heads the ball into the middle to Draxler, who smashes a shot at goal but sees his effort from close range crucially blocked by Granqvist.

9' Lindelof clearance to the rescue

Reus makes a superb run down the right and cuts a cross back into the middle towards Werner but Lindelof gets there first to put the ball behind.

12' Berg's one on one saved by Neuer, but is he fouled?

Sweden break again and Berg has the goal at his mercy. He's sandwiched between Boateng and Neuer, leaving Jan Andersson's side furious. Germany's defensive line still looks vulnerable.

Sweden are understandably furious. Boateng clearly shoves Berg from behind, sending him tumbling to the ground, but referee Szymon Marciniak is not interested and VAR does not intervene. 

32' GOAL! Germany 0-1 Sweden (O. Toivonen)

Sweden take the lead! Germany sloppily concede possession, Claesson lifts a ball over the top to Toivonen who takes one touch with his chest before clipping over the top of Neuer.

Germany are understandably rocked. They need to remain composed until the break, where Low will have some choice words to share.

39' CHANCE! Shots from Gundogan and Muller are saved

DOUBLE SAVE! Gundogan fires a shot from distance which takes a wicked deflection but Olsen reacts superbly and is quick to his feet to deny Muller on the rebound.

45+2' CLOSE! Berg's header saved by Neuer

A superb free-kick from Larsson is met by Berg's head and Neuer is required to make a crucial stop.

48' GOAL! Germany 1-1 Sweden (M. Reus)

Germany equalise! Werner, on the left, drives into space and cuts the ball into the middle. Reus gets in front of Augustinsson and diverts home. 

Gomez appeared to get a slight touch to Werner's cross as it came into the area. Germany have come out of the blocks flying.

56' CHANCE! Hector's shot saved

Germany continue on the front foot, as Hector picks up the ball in the area but does not connect with his shot properly and it is an easy save for Olsen.

64' Reus misses his kick going for a backheel

Germany continue on the front foot, as Hector picks up the ball in the area but does not connect with his shot properly and it is an easy save for Olsen.

68' Gomez misses an absolute sitter!

Boateng lifts a ball over the top of the Sweden defence to Gomez inside the six-yard box but he puts his effort over the bar.

82' Second Yellow Card! J. Boateng sent off

Germany are down to ten men! Boateng, already on a yellow card, clatters into Berg from behind and is issued his marching orders.

87' WHAT A HEADER! Gomez's header saved

WHAT A SAVE! Gomez rises high in the area to head towards goal but Olsen tips the attempt over the bar.

90+5' GOAL! Germany 2-1 Sweden (T. Kroos)

Germany have saved themselves! Durmaz clumsily concedes a free-kick on the edge of the box on the left. Reus tees it up for Kroos, who curls into the far corner of the net. Sensational!

Match Report

Germany came back from the brink of a humiliating World Cup exit as Toni Kroos scored a sensational stoppage-time winner to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sweden.

Kroos found the net with a wickedly curling set-piece in the 95th minute of a game that brought out the best and worst of Joachim Low's world champions, who were reduced to 10 men when Jerome Boateng was sent off with eight minutes remaining.

It capped a dramatic turnaround in a match that Germany could not lose after Die Mannschaft were defeated in their opening Group F game to Mexico, but such a scenario was on the cards when Ola Toivonen's superb lob gave Sweden a lead they held until half-time.

But Low's team-talk at the break obviously struck a chord with the world champions, who levelled early in the second half through Marco Reus' scrappy effort.

Boateng's dismissal threatened to unravel their efforts to get back into the match and it looked as though they would have to settle for a point that would have left their hopes of progressing from the group hanging in the balance, but, with the clock winding down, Kroos' stunner sparked jubilant German celebrations and simultaneously broke Swedish hearts.

The result leaves Group F wide open with no team yet mathematically through. Mexico lead the way on six points, while Germany and Sweden are on three, and South Korea still on zero.

Line-ups

Germany XI: Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Rüdiger, Hector, Rudy, Kroos, Draxler, Müller, Reus, Werner

Subs: Gomez, Özil, Khedira, Hummels, Trapp, Gündogan, Tter Stegen, Plattenhardt, Süle, Goretzka, Ginter, Brandt

Sweden XI: Olsen, Augustinsson, Granqvist, Lindelöf, Lustig, Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg, Berg, Toivonen

Subs: Olsson, Svensson, Durmaz, Nordfeldt, Johnsson, Jansson, Guidetti, Hiljemark, Krafth, Thelin, Helander, Rohdén