Germany’s 95th-minute winner against Sweden revived their World Cup hopes after they had appeared down and out, subsequently sending social media into a frenzy about never writing off the four-time winners.
If death and taxes are two certainties in life then the Germans reaching the World Cup knockout stages might be added to that list.
READ MORE: Germany salvage World Cup hopes with late winner against Sweden in Sochi
Even when level at 1-1 and down to 10 men deep into injury time in Sochi, with their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, the Germans stepped up to find a winner through a stunning strike from midfielder Toni Kroos.
The goal means Germany still need a win in their final World Cup game against South Korea, and will have to hope that results go in their favour in the Sweden-Mexico game, but they are still in with a chance in Russia.
After the late drama, social media saluted the Germans’ never-say-die attitude.
Ex-England striker Gary Lineker, who suffered defeat at the hands of the Germans in the 1990 World Cup semi-final, repeated his old adage that football is a simple game that invariably ends with the Germans winning.
Football is a simple game, 22 men chase the ball for 82 minutes and the Germans get a player sent off so 21 men chase the ball for 13 minutes and at the end the Germans somehow fucking win.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 23, 2018
'Perseverance, that's what champions do.'
Spot on, Roy Keane.
Germany never give up - damn them.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 23, 2018
Others said the late comeback in Sochi – which began in the 48th minute when Marco Reus canceled out Ola Toivonen’s first-half opener for Sweden – was the mark of true champions.
The official German FA account showed what the win meant to the team – posting a selection of pictures showing the team’s joy at clinching the win.
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