Day 2 at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador saw Germany and Korea Republic battle it out in Group C for qualification into the knockout rounds. The match ended as a 3-3 draw as both teams went for the win.
The draw leaves Korea Republic on top of Group C with four points, level on points with Mexico but ahead due to goal difference, while Germany stay in third with two points so far. With all to play for in the final group game, both teams will be pushing for qualification right down to the final whistle.
Korea Republic open the scoring
There was no doubt who had the overall possession in the first half as Korea Republic's tactic was to sit back a little and let Germany keep the ball for the most part before countering once they got the ball back. It was a tactic that almost paid off straight away as in the sixth minute, Korea Republic got forward quickly and found a wide open Heechan Hwang who could only roll his effort straight to Tim Horn's hands.
Korea's constant counters were always threatening and they finally got their reward in the 25th minute when Hwang opened the scoring. A corner kick was sent in and Sangmin Sim managed to get a touch on it to knock it down in the box. Hwang was alive to the opportunity and powered home the goal from close range to give Korea Republic the lead.
Germany controls the possession
Although they conceded the first goal, Germany had the most possession in the first half as they tried to break through Korea's two blocks of four. Two minutes after conceding, Davie Selke almost got one back for Germany. Germany had pushed forward quickly from a Korean corner kick and the ball eventually found Selke in space. He took one touch before firing just wide of the goal.
Germany continued to probe during their build up and in the 33rd minute, Serge Gnabry tied the game up for Germany. After moving the ball around in front of the Korean defense, Julian Brandt played a quick pass out wide to Gnabry who then sped past his defender before slotting home the goal into the far net and past Dongjun Kim in the goal. Germany continued to push for the lead and both Lars Bender and Lukas Klostermann had opportunities to do so but could only watch as Kim saved their chances.
The second half sees both teams trade opportunities
Despite their possession, Germany almost went down early in the second half due to a goalkeeping error. Horn was caught dallying on the ball by Hwang and he had his defenders to thank as they got to the ball before a Korean attacker could and proceeded to clear it out of the box.
Gnabry and Selke continued to threaten in the second half and it was these two players who almost gave Germany the lead in the 52nd minute. Gnabry got past his defender before firing towards goal. Kim parried the shot straight to Selke who instinctively headed the ball back towards goal but unfortunately for him, it went straight into Kim's hands. Selke was involved in Germany's next attack which lead to them going 2-1 up in the 55th minute. Maximillian Meyer found Selke in the box and the forward proceeded to chip Kim to give Germany the lead.
Korea Republic replied almost insistently with a goal of their own in the 57th minute. Heungmin Son picked up the ball in midfield, dribbled his way past three defenders before nutmegging Horn in goal to equalize for Korea.
The last ten minutes provide a thrilling end
As the game was reaching its end, both teams were determined to get all three points and pushed forward at every opportunity. Hwang was involved once again in the 80th minute when the ball ricocheted in the box before falling to him but he could only send his shot straight at Horn. Korea were not done and in the 87th minute, substitute Hyunjun Suk probably thought he had won it late for his country. Seulchan Lee battled his way to the byline before sending his cross into the box. Horn got a hand to it but only managed to deflect it right into Suk's path. Suk made no mistake and slotted the ball into the empty net.
Germany had the final say of the match though as they did not let their heads drop after the late goal by Suk. Deep into injury time, Germany was awarded a free-kick which Gnabry decided to take. The Arsenal FC forward stepped up to the ball and hit a great free-kick that took a slight deflection to send Kim the wrong way and tie up the game for Germany.
Both teams head into Day 3 knowing that anything can happen and there is every chance of both teams qualifying from their group and into the quarter-finals. Germany will go against Fiji in the final group game, while Korea Republic will face Mexico on August 10th