Germany recovered from their opening-game loss to Mexico with a resilient comeback win over Sweden that revived their hopes of repeating as World Cup champions.
In their final group game, they face a South Korea side whose own shot at qualifying for the knockout stages are hanging by a thread.
Here are the key players who will determine the outcome of Wednesday’s fixture.
Heung-min Son vs Marco Reus
Heung-min Son hasn’t quite delivered his best yet, not showing the quality that’s made him a star in the Premier League, but there were signs in South Korea’s second game that he’s nearing top form – not least the stunning goal he scored late on. If he can build on that performance, his side will prove tough opposition for Germany.
Against Sweden, Marco Reus showed why there was so much clamour for him to be given a starting berth after Germany’s loss to Mexico. He put in a classic No10’s performance, with incisive passing and lethal movement, and picked up a goal and an assist in their win. Another performance like that should see Germany through to the Round of 16.
Hwang-hee Chan vs Timo Werner
Hwang-Hee Chan put in a decent shift against Mexico, although he will be the first to admit he’s capable of more. Still, there were signs of a growing understanding between him and Son, and glimpses of his own prodigious talent. If he can find another gear, South Korea will be a lethal force in attack.
Timo Werner was a little lucky to keep his spot in the starting XI against Sweden, and especially to emerge for the second half after his first-half display. But in that second half, he showed the form that’s made him a rising star in Europe. He’s still looking for his first World Cup goal, however. Could Wednesday be his day?
Lee Yong vs Joshua Kimmich
Lee Yong was given a torrid time by Mexico’s Hirving Lozano in South Korea’s last game, and he’s in for another against Germany’s free-flowing attackers. Julian Draxler is a handful for any defender, and with Marco Reus’ propensity to drift towards the wings whenever there’s space, the Korean right-back will have to be at his best to ensure he’s not just chasing shadows.
It’s a mark of Joshua Kimmich’s quality that he was able to call out his side’s poor performance against Mexico despite being one of the younger members of the squad. Kimmich’s own form has been slightly inconsistent at the World Cup, but he’s always a marauding presence from right-back, and he’ll look to be that again on Wednesday.
