Germany player ratings as Mesut Ozil leads long list of flops in disaster against South Korea

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  • Mesut Ozil was criticised by Toni Kroos

    Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end … the Germans no longer always win.

    Former England striker Gary Lineker was forced to amend his famous quote after a match that shook the World Cup, which has already seen a fair share of spills and thrills, to its very core.

    South Korea were already eliminated. Yet, a team oozing quality from its pores in the likes of Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil, and Toni Kroos were left befuddled and joined their Far East opponents out of the competition in a 2-0 defeat that will go down as one of the biggest-ever upsets in international football.

    Check out our Germany ratings below on a disastrous evening for the reigning champions:

    GERMANY (4-2-3-1)

    Manuel Neuer – Comical moment at the end – but could you blame him for trying to inspire the rabble in front of him with his feet? 5

    Joshua Kimmich – None of the canny overlaps, the laser-point crosses for Bayern Munich were on display in Russia. Monster disappointment. 4

    Niklas Sule – Was a blessing in disguise that Jerome Boateng was banned, though it didn’t matter in the end. Excellent positioning to snuff out Korean counters. 6

    Mats Hummels – Generally his most solid display at the back. It was in the other box where he had his problems, missing a fusillade of headed chances. 5

    Jonas Hector – Even less involved than Kimmich. One cross to show for his 77 minutes despite such a huge advantage in territory. 3

    Sami Khedira – Came off just before the hour and you’d have to wonder why he started at all. No guile on the ball and let Korea spring counter-attacks early in the second half. 4

    Toni Kroos – His most consistent performance of the tournament – for however much that’s worth. His only assist, sadly for him, was the unfortunate deflection that led to the opener. 6

    Marco Reus – Busiest of Germany’s attacking players, but like a moth around a really dim lightbulb before the Taeguk Warriors turned the lights off for good. 5

    Mesut Ozil – Either makes the game look easy or takes it too easy. Was decidedly the latter here. Aside from one great combo with Reus and a few pretty passes his energy levels were zilch. 4

    Leon Goretzka – Extremely versatile player, but didn’t make much of an impression wide on the right. Cho was equal to his deft header in the first half. 4

    Timo Werner – Appeared poised to pick up Miroslav Klose’s mantle at the World Cup, but Germany did not utilise his pace efficiently. No one’s fault but his own that the finishing was so erratic. 4

    SUBSTITUTES

    Mario Gomez – More chances seem to fall Germany’s way when he’s on the pitch. Unfortunately they fall to him. One beauty that found his head was drilled straight at Cho. 5

    Thomas Muller – Die Mannschaft were a tad more balanced on the right-hand side when he came on with half an hour ago. His usual cutting edge though has been blunted all season. 6

    Julian Brandt – He’s a bits-and-pieces player – hardly that impact sub Low was craving. Leroy Sane’s stock has gone up without him even lifting a finger in Russia. 4

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