FIFA World Cup 2018: Toni Kroos last minute freekick saves the day for Germany

Reigning world champion Germany took on Sweden in their second match of Group F. A goal from Ola Toivonen for Sweden, a goal from Marco Reus and additional time set-piece goal from Toni Kroos made the scoreline 2-1 for Germany.

After losing their opening match against Mexico, Coach Joachim Low and his team faced harsh criticism from everywhere. They needed to win the match to keep their world cup hope alive.

In the match against Sweden, the German coach made some changes in the line-up. While the Arsenal star Mesut Ozil and midfielder Samir Khedira remained on the bench, Marco Reus and Sebastian Rudy got their first team appearance. With the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Marco Reus, and Thomas Muller, Germany maintained possession and kept attacking from the first kick of the match. Germany kept testing the Swedish defense from both the flanks, while Sweden looked to create counter-attacking chances.

On the 33rd minutes, their patience paid off, in a counter-attack Ola Toivonen Chested down the ball and lobbed it over German goalkeeper Manuel Nuer. Sweden was 1-0 up in the game against Germany on the 33rd minutes. Germany could not score in the first half as it ended Germany 0, Sweden 1.

German Coach Joachim Low made an attacking change in the second half bringing on Mario Gomez in the 46th minute. On the 48th minutes of the game, Marco Reus equalized for Germany, making the score line 1-1.

After the goal, Germany kept most of the possession as they did in the first half of the match. While Germany was attacking from both the wing, Sweden kept their calm and defended every attack.

On the 80th minutes, Timo Werner got a chance to put Germany ahead in the game, a low cross from the right wing was hit wide by Werner. On the 82nd minutes, a reckless tackle from behind saw a second yellow and a red card for Jerome Boateng, and Germany was down to 10 men. Mario Gomez came close in the 87th minutes but his header was denied by the Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

In the additional minutes of the game, substitute Julian Brandt was denied by the woodwork. While in the 95th minute, Germany got a freekick, and Toni Kroos took the opportunity to score a sensational goal from that free kick making the scoreline 2-1 for Germany.

Football, eh?#GERSWE pic.twitter.com/PWPS9s0UtQ

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 23, 2018

The match ended on a 2-1 for Germany. In the next match, Germany will face South Korea and Sweden will face Mexico.