Germany may have escaped with a last-gasp winner from Toni Kroos against Sweden, but the air of inevitability which preceded it was all too familiar
And that’s why they’re the champions. More than that, that is why they are Germany. Of all the countries, of all the situations to find themselves in: 30 seconds from leaving the World Cup just 10 days in, only 10 men on the pitch. Then Toni Kroos, a cunning free-kick and a ball curled inside the far post. This time, it really didn’t look like it was coming, but then it did.
OK, mathematically, Germany would still have had a chance had Kroos not taken control. But the reality was that, with one game in Group F left, the world champions would have been sitting in third place. With Sweden still to play leaders Mexico, an amicable draw would have suited both teams. Like Germany and Austria in 1982, maybe they would have found a way.
Related: Toni Kroos brings off late miracle for Germany to stun Sweden
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