Germany Suffers World Cup Defeat To South Korea The country crashed out of the World Cup in the first round for the first time in 80 years, losing 2-0. Germany came to this World Cup as defending champions. South Korea had already lost to Sweden and Mexico and had lost in qualifying to Qatar and China. According to the Guardian, it was the VAR, the video assistant referee system, that undid them. Kim Young-gwon’s shot had initially been ruled out for offside. But it was given as a goal when it was realized the ball had been played to him by Toni Kroos. Germany are the fourth of the last five world champions to go out in the group phase. Joachim Löw, Manager Germany National Team