Going into the 2018 World Cup, Germany and Brazil dominated the betting markets but the Germans will not be defending their 2014 crown after they were dumped out of the World Cup yesterday. After what has been a very disappointing tournament, they are on their way home with a record of just one win and two losses from their three group games. The Germans have failed to strike this summer, and questions will be asked of the players and coaching team.

The signs were not good for the Germans when they were beaten 1-0 by Mexico on their opening game of the tournament. They didn’t look at their best in that game, but Mexico deserve a ton of credit for how well they played there, and fully deserved the win. Fans put that game down to the Germans finding their feet in Russia, and expected to see more when they played their second game of the group stages against Sweden.

An early goal put them behind in that game as again they struggled to get going and reach top gear. An equaliser gave them hope, and in typcial German fashion we saw them bag a late winner to take three points from the game. This was the moment when fans believed that the real Germany team had finally arrived, and they would kick on from that late victory, beat South Korea and qualify with ease for the knockout stages.

However, that was far from the truth, and Germany simply couldn’t find a way past South Korea yesterday. They struggled to score, and in the end it was South Korea who broke the deadlock in the final few minutes of the game, sending their players and fans into huge celebrations.

A goal was needed and even goalkeeper Manuel Neuer tried to get in on the action, but his venture up field resulted in a goal at the wrong end when Son of Tottenham bagged a second for South Korea. This was a result that no one saw coming, but it was the result to send Germany home from the World Cup.

Brazil Clear World Cup Favourites after Germany Exit

At 4.50, Brazil are clear favourites to win the 2018 World Cup in Russia. After an opening game draw with Switzerland they have won their last two games by the score line of 2-0, and we are now beginning to see the Brazil team that we know and love. They are full of creativity and going forward they are as good as the great Brazil teams we have seen in the past. They appear to be getting better with every game they are playing, and are the team that no one will want to face in the knockout stages.

The next time we will see Brazil is Monday afternoon in their last 16 game against Mexico. A win and a solid performance in that one will only see Brazil shorten further in the betting as they hunt for redemption after a humiliating loss on the world stage to Germany in 2014.

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