The defending champions were on the verge of an early elimination from the 2018 World Cup, losing 1-0 at the halftime, but Germany managed to upheave the things in the second 45 minutes to beat Sweden as -200 favorites thanks to Toni Kroos’ splendent strike in the dying seconds of the match. Germany failed to cover the spread at -1.5 with the wages at +130, while the game was ended in the over of the total of 2.5 goals at -143.
Game Recap
Germany started quite offensively, and the defending champions had a couple of terrific scoring chances in the first five minutes, failing to score due to Julian Draxler’s poor finishing job. Sweden was sitting back, but launching counter-attacks whenever it was possible, and after Marcus Berg ruined a one-on-one situation with Manuel Neuer, his colleague Ola Toivonen scored the opener after Toni Kroos’ huge mistake in the middle of the park. Sweden deservedly had a lead at the halftime, but rarely who expected this with the odds at +500.
Three minutes into the second half Marco Reus scored the equalizer, and from this moment on, Germany was pushing forward in numbers but had to wait until the injury time to score the winner, even with ten men on the pitch after Jerome Boateng’s red card. The defending champions missed plenty of chances along the way, and in the dying seconds of the match, Toni Kroos saved the day with an amazing strike from just outside of the box. It was a huge relief for Germany’s fans, but also for the bettors who wagered on Germany at -200, and those who wagered on the over 2.5 goals at -143. However, those who bet on Sweden to win the first half and Germany to win the match at +1900 are surely delighted.
Considering the stats, Germany deserved this victory, having the ball on their feet for 71% of the time, and taking 16 shots towards Sweden’s goalkeeper, as five went on target. On the other side, Sweden took eight shots, six on target, and Blue-Yellow will regret some ruined opportunities in front of Manuel Neuer, particularly if they fail to reach the last 16.
Now, Sweden and Germany both have three points each with an identical 2:2 goal difference, while Mexico is on top with six points and a goal difference of 3:1, so the Matchday 3 games will decide who will qualify from the Group F. Germany meets South Korea as a massive -600 favorite, while the odds on Die Mannschaft to reach the Quarter-Finals are set at -120, according to BetDSI Sportsbook. Sweden will lock horns with Mexico, and the wages on Blue-Yellow to reach the next round are +175, while Mexico is at -500.
