World Cup 2018, Germany vs Sweden: 3 major takeaways from the match

Another World Cup game, another 90 minutes of incredible emotions; Germany vs Sweden was one of the most enthralling games so far in the tournament. The match started with Germany showing a lot of energy and the zeal to win the match following their defeat against Mexico. The Swedish team which had beaten South Korea 1-0 in their previous match was looking confident and were quite compact and defended in numbers.

The Germans had 76% of the possession, looked quite threatening and were a different side from their game against Mexico. Sweden, on the other hand, defended deep and were playing counter-attacking football. Kroos' mistake in the 32nd minute led to Sweden opening the scoring in the match.

The German fans thought at that moment that their team was certainly heading for the World Cup exit. Germany started with more attacking intent in the second half and were rewarded when Marco Reus slotted the ball into the net from Timo Werner's cross.

After they conceded the goal, Sweden defended more resolutely and frustrated the Germans with their stubbornness. With Jerome Boateng sent off in the 82nd minute after he received the 2nd yellow card, the task became more difficult for Germany.

Unfortunately for Sweden, Toni Kroos' brilliant free-kick won the game for Germany in the 95th minute. Let us look at the 3 major takeaways from the match.

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#3 Sweden defended quite well

Forsberg vies for the ball

Sweden played quite well throughout the match. They kept their shape brilliantly during Germany's early pressure in the match. Having scored in the 32nd minute, Sweden defended deep and were playing counter-attacking football.

With Germany dominating the possession for the majority of the game, Sweden looked to defend the lead and frustrate the Germans into committing a mistake. After they conceded for the first time at the World Cup in the 48th minute due to the brilliance of Werner and Reus, Sweden looked to counter-attack more vigorously as they got Boateng sent off and hence reduced the Germans to 10 men.

Unfortunately, the brilliance of Toni Kroos denied Sweden a draw as he curled his free-kick right into the top corner of the goal. Robin Olsen, who had kept 5 consecutive clean sheets before this game gave a superb goal-keeping display despite Sweden losing the match.

#2 Man of the match performance by Marco Reus

Reus scored the equaliser

Joachim Low made three changes to the starting line-up that played Mexico in the first game. Rudiger, Rudy, and Reus replaced Hummels, Khedira, and Ozil in the starting XI yesterday. Reus was the most effective player among the three, started the match with a bang and looked to penetrate the Swedish defence.

He was the most threatening German player as he looked to run behind the Swedish defence and was responsible for creating many chances for Germany both in the first and second half. Reus justified Low's decision to play him instead of Ozil, by latching on to the wonderful low cross of Timo Werner and slotted the ball into the net.

His brilliance in yesterday's game will make him a suitable candidate for a place in the starting XI for the remaining group stage match against South Korea and the knockout stage.

#1 Toni Kroos- The villain and the hero for Germany

Kroos celebrates his wonderful freekick

Toni Kroos had a roller coaster game yesterday. Being the fulcrum of German's midfield, he dominated possession, switched the play from one wing to the other and was responsible to create chances for Germany. His mistake of giving away possession cheaply in the 32nd minute, lead to Sweden scoring the opening goal of the match.

The expressions on Kroos face after committing the mistake which led to the goal suggested that he had led his team to an early exit from the World Cup. Luckily for him, Marco Reus equalised for Germany in the 48th minute and lifted the spirit of the entire team. Kroos became more aggressive in the second-half, started every German attack and was responsible for breaking Sweden's counter-attack.

He had his efforts saved by the Swedish goalkeeper as well as deflected a couple of times in the second half. The moment of redemption finally arrived for him in the 95th when he curled the free-kick into the top corner of the goal. This gave Germany a memorable victory and also a big chance to progress into the knockout stages. Hence, Kroos became a hero for his country at the end of the crucial game.