G ermany rescued their World Cup hopes with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Sweden on Saturday night courtesy of Toni Kroos' stunning late goal. Germany headed to Russia as world champions following their success in Brazil four years ago, but looked as though they were heading out on Saturday night as they trailed to Sweden following a 1-0 defeat to Mexico. Joachim Low's side start the tournament with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Mexico, and results in Group F meant that Die Nationalmannschaft headed into their clash against Sweden knowing a defeat would send them home. Germany started brightly, but Sweden grew into the game and took the lead following a bad mistake from Kroos. World Cup Russia 2018 top goalscorers The Real Madrid midfielder carelessly gave away possession deep in his own half, and the Swedes capitalised as Ola Toivonen controlled the ball before lobbing Manuel Neuer for the lead after 32 minutes. REUTERS Sweden had not beaten Germany in a competitive game since 1958, but were full of confidence against a nervous, slow German defence. However, Germany rallied after the break as Low took off Julian Draxler for Mario Gomez, and the holders were level as Reus converted a Timo Werner cross three minutes into the second half. REUTERS Germany put plenty of pressure on Sweden, but Jerome Boateng was sent off by referee Szymon Marciniak for a second bookable offence with nine minutes left on the clock to make things even harder for the world champions. EPA Julian Brandt struck the post in injury time, but Kroos made amends for his earlier mistake with a world-class winner from a free kick in the 94th minute. Memorable moments of the World Cup 2018 so far The result sees Germany leapfrog Sweden in the group, and the holders will now progress to the last 16 as long as they match Sweden's result - both in terms of points and goals scored - in the final group game. REUTERS<doc-sep>Toni Kroos hit a perfect curling free kick as the Germans saved their noses to stay alive in the FIFA World Cup 2018 edging past Sweden 2-1. Kroos scored the winner in the added time as a classic Germany clinched home a victory after their loss to Mexico in the inaugural fixture. Germany played a dominating first-half of football only to trail by a goal to Sweden. The Swedes produced a moment of inspiration through Ola Toivonen to edge the Germans in the opening 45 minutes. The Germans, however have been a live wire in terms of possession, shots on goal but the scoreline did not reflect their story as their shots were well blocked by the Swede -- who did well to keep the Joachim Loew-managed side away from scoring. Earlier, Mesut Ozil was dropped for Germany's must-win World Cup clash against Sweden in Sochi on Saturday. The much-criticised Arsenal playmaker drops out as coach Joachim Loew makes four changes to the side that lost 1-0 against Mexico in the opening game of their trophy defence last weekend. (Highlights: Germany vs Sweden). Highlights of 2018 FIFA World Cup, Germany vs Sweden, Group F match, straight from Fisht Stadium, Sochi 01:25 IST: Thank you for staying with us for the live match updates. 01:23 IST: FULL TIME! Germany beat Sweden 2-1 01:22 IST: Toni Kroos on a free-kick, on the edge of the box and he scores! What a goal, as Kroos gets one touch assist from Marco Reus! Referee blows for the final whistle, what a dramatic end to the high intensity drama, classic Germany kept their nerves to seal the deal! 01:19 IST: Timo WERNER! Hits the post in the second minute of the injury time from the edge of the box, Sweden survive! 01:18 IST: 5 minutes added! Swedes clearing and defending every ball coming their way, they might well think their job is done. But Germans earn a corner in injury time. 01:16 IST: Chance! Mario Gomes comes close to scoring with a near header but Robin Olsen nips it away, crucial save and quite likely looks like the save of the tournament, thus far. What a save in the dying minutes! 01:13 IST: 10-man Germany continue to be dominant on the ball. Mueller crosses a ball in bit Forsberg tucks it away. Meanwhile, Germany has replaced Hector with Brandt in the 87th minute. 01:09 IST: RED CARD for Jerome Boateng -- the heart of the German defence has been sent off for a rash challenge on Marcus Berg, as he collects his second yellow with nearly 8 minutes plus added time to be played. 01:08 IST: Mueller with a brilliant ball inside the box, finds Timo Werner but the youngster skies the ball. Germans have failed to make the most of the chances they have created. 81 minutes on the clock! 01:03 IST: Corner for Sweden, German header tucks it away as it falls for Forsberg who takes an attempt on target but Manuel Neuer is behind to collect it. 01:01 IST: Sweden has brought on a pair of fresh legs -- Durmaz comes off the bench in place of Claesson in the 74th minute. 00:59 IST: Free-kick for Germany, Toni Kroos swings it to the right flank to find Joshu Kimmich, turns out to be a throw-in for Germany. 00:55 IST: Off-side! Boateng chips in a brilliant ball to find Gomes -- who skies the ball high from close range, he will be relieved with the decision from the assistant referee. Germans continue to impose threat. 00:54 IST: Berg, meanwhile keeps hold on the ball for Sweden. Germany for seconds did the chasing work before the ball falls back to their feet again. 00:52 IST: Corner for Germany, Kross delivers a swinging ball to no one in particular as the firm Swede defence shrugs off the danger. 00:51 IST: Toni Kross with a brilliant shot from the 20-yard mark but the his shot is blocked as Sweden continue to play inside their own half, 63 minutes says the clock! 00:47 IST: Sweden suddenly look to keep control on the ball, but the Germans are back in the attack. Kimmich makes a brilliant cross but Reus trips and fails to get the crucial touch. 00:44 IST: Gundogon on the right flank, plays a ball to find Muller but he can't reach there, kept away by the Swede defence. Time is ticking, 57 minutes up! 00:35 IST: GOAL! Veteran Marco Reus tucks it in the back of the net from a cross delivered by Timo Werner in the 48th minute. It's all square now! He has surely shut some critics now, who reportedly has issues over his selection. 00:32 IST: Second-half gets underway, Mario Gomes replaces Julian Draxler as they get the ball rolling. 00:18 IST: Half-time Germany 0-1 Sweden. The holders have been dominant on the whole, but Sweden generated one inspirational moment which is the difference between both the sides after the 45 minute mark. Meanwhile, a group stage knock-out hovers over the holders mind! The scoreline does not reflect the real story of the match, thus far. 00:15 IST: Germans back on the attack, but getting their shots blocked has been the problem all day long, so far for the Germans. 2 minutes added in the first-half! 00:03 IST: GOAL! Ola Toivonen chips past Manuel Neuer as Sweden take lead with 32 minutes on the clock. 00:01 IST: Bleeding Rudy throws his shirt away in disgrace in the dug-out as he has been substituted by Gundogan 23:58 IST: Corner for Sweden, tipped away by the Germans. Rudy still in the dug-out with a cotton on his bleeding nose as Sami Khedira has been asked to warm up in the 29th minute. 23:56 IST: Looks like a certain shirt change for Rudy, due to the blood caused of the hit he took on the face. 23:53 IST: Corner for Germany, Toni Kross delivers Larsson over to guide it away. Germany retain possession but looks Sebastian Rudy has done himself some damage near the 25th minute. 23:48 IST: Shot from Marcus Berg!<doc-sep>Germany lived to fight another day after battling from behind to beat Sweden 2-1, with Toni Kroos scoring a dramatic last-minute winner to keep their hopes of retaining the World Cup alive. At one stage it looked as though the reigning world champions were heading for an early exit. Defeat in Sochi would have confirmed their premature departure, and when Ola Toivonen delightfully chipped the ball over Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Joachim Löw must have feared the worst. Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Show all 25 1 /25 Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings We run the rule over both teams after a dramatic late finish. Getty Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Germany player ratings Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Manuel Neuer - 6 out of 10 He backed himself against Toivonen for the goal, and was beaten, something he will be very disappointed about. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Joshua Kimmich - 6 Much like against Mexico, his attacking play was impressive, but he left huge gaps behind him that were exploited. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Jerome Boateng - 3 Truly awful. Unable to get back when he ventured forwards and could’ve given away a penalty as he tried to get back. Ended up being sent off late on, Germany were better without him. FIFA via Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Antonio Ruediger - 5 Alongside Boateng his performance was amongst the worst for Germany. Little leadership or authority, lacking everything Sweden showed. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Jonas Hector - 6 Another better going forward than in defence. Had a chance inside the area but Olsen saved comfortably. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Sebastian Rudy - 6 Had little impact on the game after going off early after an accidental clash that left his nose gushing with blood. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Toni Kroos - 8 Had little impact going forward and couldn’t help his defence against the Sweden counter. Improved in the second half, and his performance will be forgotten thanks to his late, late strike. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Thomas Mueller - 7 Had a poor game and offered little going forward. One of many that must improve in the coming games AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Marco Reus - 7 Had flashes of brilliance and one of the better German attackers, getting the all-important equalising goal AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Julian Draxler - 5 Poor, and showed little of his talent and skill. Hauled off at half-time as Germany were forced into finding an equaliser. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Timo Werner - 6 Carried on running and trying to get at the Sweden defence. Showed his talent but couldn’t find the final pass or finish. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Sweden Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Robin Olsen - 7 Made a couple of good saves, particularly to deny Gundogan from range, could do nothing for either goal. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Mikael Lustig - 7 Strong in defence, and stuck to his task well, with guidance from the experienced Granqvist. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Victor Lindelof - 7 Back from an illness, and straight into the action as he was at the heart of defence that kept Germany out for so long. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Andreas Granqvist - 7 His huge experience was called upon and he marshalled the defence with authority, gave everything and was out on his feet at the final whistle. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Ludwig Augustinsson - 7 Looked impressive with a couple of balls into the box, and like the rest of his team have everything. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Viktor Claesson - 7 Provided a great assist for Toivonen’s goal and worked hard in both defence and attack. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Sebastian Larsson - 7 A threat going forward, whilst helping out his defence. Good from set pieces, which is helped by the height of his teammates. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Albin Ekdal - 7 Another that spent the majority of his time defending. Used his big frame and strength to his advantage. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Emil Forsberg - 7 Despite all his attacking promise, he also stuck to his task in defence to deny the Germans particularly first half. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Ola Toivonen - 8 A brilliance piece of skill and calmness for the opening goal, and a constant threat for Sweden. Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Marcus Berg - 7 Had two very good chances in the first half, one through against Neuer and a header that was saved. A real pest for the German defence. AFP/Getty Images Having left out the likes of Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira out due to the 1-0 defeat by Mexico, Löw chucked on as many attacking options as possible, and he was rewarded when Marco Reus came up with close-range finish that deflected into the back of the net. A draw would still have left Germany needing a heavy victory over South Korea next Wednesday and hope that Mexico beat the Swedes, but there was one last twist in the tail. From a free-kick, Toni Kroos rolled the ball to Reus, the striker teed it up and Kroos curled the ball past Robin Olsen to spark wild celebrations and keep Germany alive and fighting. 1. To his credit, Joachim Löw was determined not to play it safe against Sweden. Joachim Low dropped both Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira (Getty) Rocked from seeing his side play so poorly in their first game loss to Mexico, he decided to ring the changes, to freshen up his midfield and reassert his authority over this team of superstars. Out went Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Marvin Plattenhardt. In came Marco Reus, Jonas Hector and Sebastian Rudy.<doc-sep>82' JEROME BOATENG GETS A RED CARD! JEROME BOATENG GETS HIS SECOND YELLOW CARD AND HE IS OFF! GERMANY ARE DOWN TO 10-MEN! The Bayern Munich defender gets down Berg and the referee takes his time to decide and gives a second yellow card. For a long time it looked nothing is happening as the referee was trying to avoid a red card. But then he decided to bring out the card. No consultations with VAR. He is off!<doc-sep>
Watch the highlights of goals and key plays as Germany stuns Sweden with a last-minute goal to win 2-1 at the World Cup. Germany was left for dead. Then it struck at the death to breathe life into its World Cup title defense. Toni Kroos's incredible goal off a designed set piece in the 95th minute gave Germany a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Sweden on Saturday. Germany was down 1-0 after a Kroos error gifted Sweden a counter, on which Marcus Berg scored. At that point, Germany was out of the World Cup, given the other results in Group F. But a Marco Reus goal just after halftime brought the Germans back from the brink, and now they find themselves in a much safer standing after the victory, which was achieved with 10 men after Jerome Boateng was sent off late. Following a 1-0 loss to Mexico, Germany came out pressing early, and it nearly scored two minutes in, when it had a chance off a wild goal-mouth scramble blocked from in close. Timo Werner had two chances to cross from by the near post, and after his first was blocked, he headed the second across goal to Julian Draxler. The PSG playmaker's point-blank chance was blocked on the line, though, keeping it 0-0. Germany pressured down the right-hand side again in the ninth minute, with Reus having a cross at the near post desperately cleared by Victor Lindelof before it could reach its target. Sweden had none of the ball in the early going, but it nearly took a shocking lead in the 13th minute. Berg got in behind on a breakaway after a turnover by Antonio Rudiger, and while he was setting up to shoot on goal, Boateng appeared to push him from behind in the box. Manuel Neuer wound up coming off his line and making the save, while Berg went down claiming he should've had a penalty. VAR never intervened, and Germany escaped unscathed. Germany was forced to play temporarily with 10 men after Sebastian Rudy took a cleat to the face while sliding for the ball. The Bayern Munich midfielder ultimately was forced to come out, with a bloody nose and apparent head injury wouldn't relent. On in his place came Ilkay Gundogan, five minutes after Rudy walked to the sideline. Germany conceded an unlikely goal moments later. Kroos's giveaway in the middle of the field sparked an instant Sweden counter. Ola Toivonen took a touch off his chest after a lofted ball forward, and he then chipped Neuer from in close to make it 1-0. Germany nearly equalized a few minutes later, when Gundogan laced a blast from long range that took a deflection, but goalkeeper Robin Olsen got down to his right and made the full-extension save to paw it to safety. Neuer ensured the halftime deficit was only 1-0 on the last play of the opening 45 minute. Sebastian Larsson took a quick free kick, catching Germany off guard, and the ensuing header appeared destined for the far post, until a diving Neuer steered it away. Germany came out of the locker room with a purpose. It took all of two minutes for the Germans to pull even, with Werner sending in a cross from the left that was touched ever so slightly by Mario Gomez. That allowed Reus to bundle home from close range, making it 1-1 and bringing Germany back from the brink of elimination. Germany continued to apply high pressure and dominate the ball throughout the half. Its best chance appeared to be when the offside flag went up to nullify a Gomez point-blank opportunity that he put over the bar, but replays showed that when the ball was played over the top, Gomez was definitely onside. Sweden hardly had opportunities going forward to find a winner, but one came in the 75th minute off a corner kick. The initial ball was cleared away, but Emil Forsberg whipped in a precise volley, one that Neuer read all the way and saved with a clean catch. Germany went back on the offensive and nearly went ahead in the 81st minute. Werner's attempt to redirect a cross to him in the center of the box flew painfully over the bar, though, keeping it 1-1. Germany's task to win got tougher a minute later, when Boateng, already on a yellow card, came clattering through Berg from behind. He was sent off for a second yellow, leaving his side with 10 men.