Germany vs Sweden As it happened World Cup 2018: Toni Kroos goal breaks Swedish hearts
Follow all the action as Germany look to make up for their loss to Mexico
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Germany will be raring to get over their surprise 1-0 defeat they suffered against Mexico in their opening Group F game. Hirving Lozano scored the only goal of the game which had the German players scratching their heads and gazing at one-another with confused looks.
In their first game Sweden strolled past South Korea, Andreas Granqvist scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. South Korea failed to register a single shot on target and will certainly be tested against a Germany attacking force with a point to prove.
Group F remains wide open which means anything other than a win for Germany would be a disaster.
Follow all of the action below:
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What time is it?
Germany vs Sweden kicks off at 19:00 in Sochi’s Fisht Olympic Stadium.
Where can I watch it?
ITV will be showing live coverage on ITV 1 and on the ITV hub.
Odds:
- Germany: 1/2
- Sweden: 6/1
- Draw: 10/3
Prediction:
Germany 1-0 Sweden. Two defeats in a row just doesn’t happen to Germany at World Cups and Joachim Low will be determined to have his side fired up to make up for previous mistakes. Sweden will make it tough, but ultimately their defensive barrier will not be able to withstand Germany’s attacks.
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Who would have thought at the start of this World Cup that after just one game, Germany would be playing for their tournament lives? They need to win against Sweden to keep their hopes of defending the World Cup alive
The big team news is Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira miss out on spots in the starting XI after poor displays against Mexico. Marco Reus will be in from the off, and Joshua Kimmich will need to be more balanced, rather than the all-out-attack that left gaps behind him in the first game.
Sweden haven't beaten Germany in 11 games, but this provides their best chance in a while. Germany will either bounce back and play brilliantly as they prove why they are World Champions, or Sweden could get under their skin and add to their misery.
Manchester United's Victor Lindelof is back in defence for Sweden, and will have plenty to do against the likes of Reus, Muller and co.
Sweden are ready...and we have less than 15 minutes until kick off.
It's a big game for Marco Reus tonight. Immense talent, but incredibly unlucky with injuries, here he gets his chance from the start in a World Cup for the very first time. Plenty of fans will be willing him on, as he finally gets his chance to showcase his talent on the greatest stage of all.
The teams are out and we are moments from kick off. It's a big occasion for Sweden, anyone remember a small, quiet figured named Zlatan Ibrahimovic who might have fancied this one?
KICK OFF: Sweden get us underway in a must-win match for Germany
3 mins: Just the standard goal line clearance to start this one. Germany unlucky to not be ahead, but great last-ditch defending from Sweden. On the basis of the first couple of minutes its going to be a long 90 minutes for Sweden.
6 mins: The first Sweden break, and all of Germany's poor defending from the Mexico game is clear to see again. Forsberg perhaps unlucky not to earn Sweden a free kick as Germany's defence panic. For all of Germany's early pressure and possession, there looks to be a slim chance of a goal for Sweden
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