Germany have been eliminated from the World Cup after suffering a 2-0 defeat to South Korea in Wednesday's clash in Kazan.
Three points would have been enough for the defending champions to avoid a first early exit since 1938, despite once again failing to impress.
However, two goals in added-on time - from Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min respectively - left Germany facing elimination and Sweden topping Group F ahead of Mexico.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in the South-West of Russia courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the World Cup encounter between South Korea and Germany. Neither team have enjoyed the tournament that they were hoping for so far, but that could all change with victory today.
Before we crack on with the facts and figures, let's take a look at the two starting lineups, starting with South Korea...
SOUTH KOREA XI: Jo; Lee Wong, Yun, Kim, Hong; Lee Jae-sung, Jang, Jung, Moon; Son, Koo
GERMANY XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Hummels, Sule, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Ozil, Goretzka, Reus; Werner
Let's start with South Korea who head into this game without the services of Ki Sung-yueng. The national team captain has sustained a calf strain so will play no part in this fixture.
Jung Woo-young has been drafted into the side in his place. Jung made an appearance off the bench against Mexico so the Vissel Kobe player should benefit from time on the pitch at this tournament.
As expected, Son Heung-min leads his side and takes his spot in attack, but there is a further alteration at the back as Yun Young-sun is drafted into the starting lineup in place of Kim Min-Woo.
Hong Chul has also been introduced into the backline with Jang Hyun-Soo being moved further forward. Hwang Hee-Chan must do with a place among the replacements.
As for Germany, Joachim Low has opted to make as many as five alterations to his team, with the most notable inclusion being the recall of Mesut Ozil. The Arsenal playmaker has come back into the team, with Julian Draxler missing out.
Low has also decided to drop Thomas Muller with Leon Goretzka being provided with his first opportunity from the start in this tournament. The pair will become teammates after this competition with Goretzka leaving Schalke 04 for Bayern Munich.
There is an enforced change in the middle of the park with Sebastian Rudy having undergone a minor operation on his nose after sustaining the injury against Sweden. That has resulted in a recalled for Sami Khedira, who lost his spot in the starting lineup after the Mexico defeat.
The remaining two alterations come in defence. Jerome Boateng is suspended so Mats Hummels comes back into the team, while Niclas Sule has been preferred to Antonio Rudiger.
So then, permutations! Despite winning both of their matches, Mexico still have work to do in order to qualify and a point against Sweden will be enough. However, if Sweden win that game, goal difference and goals scored could come into play, depending on the result of this game.
As far as this game is concerned, Germany will progress if they better the result of Sweden, while a two-goal win will also be enough to ensure that they qualify for the knockout stages. South Korea still have faint hopes but they must win and win convincingly.
Son has been speaking in the build-up to this game and the forward has stressed that South Korea will not give up on qualification, despite the test awaiting them after back-to-back defeats. Click here to read his thoughts.
The Tottenham Hotspur attacker could be key to South Korea's hopes. Son had as many as eight shots during the defeat to Mexico, the last of which paid off in some style as he curled the ball into the far corner from 25 yards.
However, South Korea head into this match having lost each of their last four fixtures at the World Cup, while just two wins have come since the start of the 2006 edition.
Win, lose or draw today, South Korea do have reason to be optimistic for the future. Their current squad does not feature a player over the age of 31, suggesting that many of this crop could be around in four years' time.
Turning our attention to Germany now and Low's side faced the real prospect of elimination when being held by Sweden but Kroos's dramatic winner has at least left his side's fate in their own hands.
From an historical perspective, it could be huge. Germany have never failed to progress from the opening stage of a World Cup and have reached the semi-finals in each of the last four tournaments.
A positive heading into this fixture is that Germany have won each of their five matches against Asian opposition at the World Cup with a total of 19 goals being scored.
Germany's win over Sweden also ended a 20-year streak at the tournament. It was the first time since 1998 that the nation had overturned a deficit to record a win.
Germany head into this match having won just two of their last eight matches in all competitions but there is a feeling that the best is yet to come from this team, despite the possibility of a last-16 date with Brazil. As we saw last night with Argentina, never write off the big teams in the biggest tournament.
PREDICTION! We have to go with Germany for this game. While it is far from a foregone conclusion, some of the pressure in their camp has been lifted and we are expecting a ruthless showing in Kazan. Germany to win 3-0.
HEAD TO HEAD! Wednesday's fixture will represent the fourth time that these two nations have faced each other, with Germany registering two victories and South Korea prevailing on one occasion.
Germany's victories have both come at World Cups, the first of which came at the 1994 edition. They prevailed in a five-goal thriller in Dallas on that occasion, while in 2002, a Michael Ballack goal was enough to see off South Korea at the semi-final stage.
However, South Korea did win the last fixture, albeit in 2004, by a 3-1 scoreline, with that game also taking place in Asia.
As we get closer to kickoff, a quick reminder that you can also follow the match between Mexico and Sweden by clicking here. The result of that fixture may not matter but for now, it does.
It's time for the two teams to begin making their out in Kazan. It's currently 28C in South-West Russia but the temperature should drop ever so slightly as we progress through this game.
A reminder of the two starting lineups...
SOUTH KOREA XI: Jo; Lee Wong, Yun, Kim, Hong; Lee Jae-sung, Jang, Jung, Moon; Son, Koo
GERMANY XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Hummels, Sule, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Ozil, Goretzka, Reus; Werner
KICKOFF! Germany get us underway!
South Korea have started this game well with Hummels looking uncomfortable having being drawn out wide. The ball got delivered into the box but Germany just about cleared it to safety.
Goretzka has started out wide on the right with Ozil beginning the game in the middle. The Arsenal playmaker is already seeing a lot of the ball but like against Mexico, it is not being used at any great pace.
SHOT! I'm not sure if this is a pass or shot from Reus but either way, his volley goes well wide of the far post without a teammate in sight.
It's been a fairly even start with South Korea prepared to go onto the attack whenever they have the ball. It's win or bust for the Asian nation and it is already showing.
BOOKING! The first yellow card of the game goes to Jung, who goes in late and aggressively on Hector.
Kimmich gets fouled on the right-hand side of the penalty area and it gives Germany a chance to get the ball into the box. Kroos delivers the cross but the ball is flicked away for a throw-in by a defender.
Unlike South Korea, Germany are prepared to play their way into this contest. They are having the majority of possession but not a lot is coming from their efforts in open play.
Germany win a corner after a Goretzka cross is diverted behind but from the resulting set piece, Hummels's header goes into the air and Jo makes the easy claim.
The defending champions are starting to pose more of a threat in the box now. Germany try to find Sule at the back post but despite the tall defender winning his aerial battle, the ball rolls through to Jo.
It's South Korea's turn to win a set piece around 35 yards from goal. It looks too far out for a shot so Jung could cross from here.
SHOT! Jung decides to shoot instead and it almost pays off. Neuer spills the long-range strike before having to claw the ball away with Son ready to convert from close range.
This match is starting to warm up nicely. Germany had looked comfortable but that close call has remained Low's side that they are in a game. It remains goalless in the encounter between Mexico and Sweden.
BOOKING! South Korea pick up a second booking, this time for Lee Jae-sung for a clumsy challenge in the middle of the pitch.
CHANCE! Germany have had more of the ball but South Korea are creating the better chances. Son is provided with the chance to score with a volley after a cross is only half-cleared into his path but his effort goes just over.
There's no doubting that the chances that South Korea are creating is leading to encouragement to attack this Germany defence. It's certainly not as tight as it usually is. The first goal in this match is going to be so important.
We have had a brief stoppage in play while Yun recovers from a head injury but the defender is soon back on his feet and ready to continue.
As we go through the half-hour mark, you begin to wonder how Germany would fare against Brazil if the pair meet in the last 16. Low's side look under-cooked and South Korea have a chance here.
Nearly an opening for Germany but Reus's shot from the edge of the box is blocked and the winger is then harshly adjudged to have handled the ball after it rebounded against him.
With 10 minutes to go in this first half, we may start to see the heat taking its toll. It remains 28C in Kazan, although this fixture has not been played at a fast pace.
We have had just five shots in this match, which is low considering that both nations could do with a win. The clearer opportunities have gone the way of South Korea, too.
SHOT! A mistake in the South Korea defence gifts possession to Ozil and the midfielder manages to get the ball out to Werner. The striker is only looking to shot and his effort takes a deflection and goes over the bar.
CHANCE! From the resulting corner, Werner retrieves the ball on the byline and plays it to Hummels. The centre-back turns the defender and sees his close-range effort smothered by Jo.
We are having another break in play after Lee Jae-sung picks up an ankle injury when looking to get onto the end of a through-ball. The winger is back on his feet, however.
Werner strikes the post from inside of the area but the whistle had already gone for a foul by Hector.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
Germany are ending the first half on top but again, their play in the final third just isn't quick enough. That is going to need to change after the break.
HALF TIME: South Korea 0-0 Germany
The half-time whistle goes in Kazan and we remain goalless. Apart from a couple of chances for South Korea, we have not seen too much action in the penalty area. As it stands however, Germany are still going through in second place.
The two best openings have gone the way of South Korea. Jung's free kick was almost fumbled into the path of Son but Neuer recovered to claw the ball away for a corner while Son blazed a volley off target from 14 yards when he should probably have hit the target.
Germany went close through Hummels - who saw a close-range effort smothered by Jo - but aside from that, the defending champions have failed to turn their possession into chances. On a positive note, Germany have produced their better football after the break in their previous two matches.
The two teams are starting to make their way back out in Kazan. Low will have demanded more from his team but will his team-talk pay off? Let's find out!
KICKOFF! South Korea get us back underway!
SHOT! It takes South Korea less than a minute to get a shot away from distance but Jung's strike from distance is too close to Neuer.
CHANCE! It should be 1-0 to Germany. The ball is played out to Kimmich and after his cross finds Goretzka, the midfielder should score. However, the new Bayern Munich signing heads too close to Jo from eight yards out.
BOOKING! South Korea pick up a third caution with Moon being cautioned for preventing a counter-attack.
UPDATE! There has been a goal in the other game and SWEDEN lead Mexico! As it stands, Germany are heading out. Click here to keep up-to-date with that match.
CHANCE! As news begins to filter through, Germany waste another chance through Werner, who sends a volley wide of Jo's right-hand post from 12 yards out.
It's all Germany now. It had been even before Sweden scored. Sweden's goal leaves South Korea looking even more unlikely to qualify but with the pressure off, maybe they will relish the chance to eliminate Germany?
SUBSTITUTION! Koo picks up what looks to be a knee injury and it means that Hwang is being introduced in his place.
As Germany start to place more focus on attack, space is beginning to open up in the full-back areas, like it did against Mexico. As long as South Korea can keep this level, they will fancy this.
SUBSTITUTION! Low acts by introducing Gomez for Khedira. The Juventus man has endured another disappointing game.
What a waste. Germany break in numbers and the opportunity is there for Ozil to get a shot way. However, he instead tees up Kroos who sees his effort deflected wide for a corner.
UPDATE! Sweden have doubled their advantage over Mexico! That could be a huge goal. Germany need a goal or else they are heading out of this tournament.
SUBSTITUTION! A second change for Germany sees Muller come on in the place of Goretzka.
BOOKING! Son tries to make his way into the penalty area but as he does so, he goes down pressure from Reus. It's not a foul but it's not a dive either. Harsh decision from the referee.
This game cannot finish goalless, surely. Both teams are going for it and there is so much space in the centre of the pitch.
CHANCE! Nearly an opener for Germany. The ball is delivered into the box from the right and Gomez gets ahead of his marker, but the striker's header is straight at Jo.
SUBSTITUTION! A second switch for South Korea sees Ju replace Moon.
Less than 20 minutes to go now and this is getting tense. Gomez should probably score at the near post but the substitute misses his kick.
I think that South Korea are starting to tire. Germany definitely look the fresher. South Korea are starting to retreat but I'm not sure if that helps Germany or not!
UPDATE! Sweden have found a third goal against Mexico. Unbelievably, El Tri are facing the possibility of an exit, something which will happen if Germany find a goal in this game.
South Korea really are looking tired now. They probably cannot qualify now so they have to decide whether to go for broke or try to earn a share of the spoils against the world champions.
SUBSTITUTION! A third and final change for Germany sees Hector replaced by Brandt.
SHOT! A rare counter-attack from South Korea ends with Son trying to find the near bottom corner but he drags his strike wide.
SUBSTITUTION! This is a weird one. Hwang - who has only recently come on - is being replaced by Go, who is a defender.
CHANCE! This was only half a chance but it could have still opened the scoring. A cross was floated in for Muller but the substitute's glancing header went wide of the far post.
SHOT! So close from Reus. The winger tries his luck from distance and Jo is beaten as the ball swerves towards the far corner, but it goes just wide of the post.
Just the five minutes to go now. Germany are pressing and there doesn't appear to be much danger at the other end, but they need to find a way through. Sweden still lead Mexico by a 3-0 scoreline.
CHANCE! What an opportunity! An inswinging cross finds the run of Hummels but the centre-back mis-times a free header from eight yards, with the ball going wide.
SHOT! Kroos is the next to try his luck but his low effort is saved by Jo. This is so tense.
The ball is at the end that Germany don't want. South Korea have a corner after a deflected shot.
There will be six minutes of added-on time. This is not over yet!
There will be more than that because Lee Yong has taken one in the unmentionables.
GOAL! South Korea 1-0 Germany (Kim Young-gwon)
UNBELIEVABLE!!! South Korea take the lead through Kim, who converts from close range. The goal initially got disallowed for offside but two Germany players touched the ball before it arrived at the feet of the defender, who found the roof of the net. VAR has come to the rescue and as a result, Germany are going out of the World Cup!
GOAL! South Korea 2-0 Germany (Son Heung-min)
South Korea score a second! Neuer is up for a corner but after the move breaks down, a long ball sets Son free and the Spurs attacker taps home into an empty net. What scenes in Kazan.
FULL TIME: South Korea 2-0 Germany
The full-time whistle goes in Kazan and South Korea have done it - they have contributed to one of the biggest shocks in recent footballing memory by eliminating Germany from the World Cup! They don't qualify themselves but this is one of the nation's most famous wins, and equally one of German football's darkest days.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us today and we hope to see you again later for the end of Group E.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
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