FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Highlights Germay 2-1 Sweden June 23 2018

TONI Kroos rescued holders Germany from the brink of an unthinkable early World Cup exit, curling home a sensational winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win over Sweden reviving hopes of becoming the first side to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

Before that, a Kroos error had led to Ola Toivonen giving Sweden a 32nd-minute lead and even a Marco Reus equaliser early in the second half appeared to be only a temporary stay of execution for Joachim Loew’s men.

It seemed Marco Reus, starting in place of Arsenal‘s Mesut Ozil, was productive and prodded in an equalizer as Germany assumed control after the interval.

The champions then had Jerome Boateng sent off for a rash challenge on Marcus Berg receiving a second yellow card.

And they were rewarded in the final minute of five added on when Kroos tapped a free-kick short to Reus before sweeping the return pass into the top right corner from left of the penalty area.