The South Koreans celebrate their victory over the Germans


By the time South Korea tapped their second into Manuel Neuer’s open goal with seconds remaining, the goalkeeper was in midfield, having forsaken his position. Neur was backing a German attack in a desperate search for a goal. However, even if they had equalised, it would not have been enough considering that in the other match, Mexico and Sweden were each on six points.


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It was the first time the Germans had been knocked out in the group stages of the tournament, which they have won four times, and their earliest exit since 1938. Again, this is another proof that, as in all human endeavours, it is easier to get to the top in soccer than to remain there.




Presently, Germany seems to be in deep introspection about its values and standards. For starters, the government is on the brink of collapse over an immigration row, then the future of the euro seems to be in question once again. Lastly, Volkswagen is braced for more arrests over the diesel emissions scandal.




The chances are that the Germans will be back. However, it may not be with the present squad who no longer seem to have fire in their belly.