Goal hero Kroos: “You also have to have balls”

The great euphoria of the goal should now carry Toni Kroos and the world champion through the rest of the World Cup. “It is of course a template to take good feelings with you. I hope we can carry that into the next games,” said the German goal hero after the last-minute madness in the 2-1 win against Sweden. “Of course the first goal was my responsibility. But you also have to have the balls to play like that in the second half.”

Kroos' grenade hit the Sweden goal. © APA/afp / NELSON ALMEIDA

The Real Madrid star's free kick in stoppage time saved the German team from the threat of being knocked out in the preliminary round in Russia. With his stroke of genius shortly before the final whistle, Kroos also saved his own tournament record. After his fatal bad pass before the 0-1 lead and the half-hearted defending afterwards, the 28-year-old would have fared much worse if he hadn't scored the winning goal. The four-time Champions League winner was already viewed very critically after his performance in the false start against Mexico.

Kroos himself reflected on his eventful evening in his usual unshakable manner. In contrast, some colleagues were still full of adrenaline. “I almost cried on the pitch when it was 2-1 because it was just so great,” said the strong Timo Werner, who was fouled before the free kick. Showed a strong performance: Timo Werner. © APA/afp / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Kroos then criticized some comments from home. “I get the feeling that it's much more fun to write badly about us. We get no help from all those who write, analyze and accuse us of bad body language,” criticized the former Bayern professional. “I don’t think anyone will write us the title, we have to do it ourselves, it has to come from us.”

Kroos was lucky that the wish of Mats Hummels, who was looking on injured, did not come true. “I shouted loudly for him to cross,” said the central defender, and admitted with a smile: “I was just allowed to listen to a lot of that in the dressing room.”

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Goal hero Kroos: “You also have to have balls”

His 13th international goal is the most important. Toni Kroos saves the German national team from the impending World Cup knockout. The Real Madrid champion's free kick causes ecstasy of celebration - including for national coach Löw. And Mats Hummels has to listen to a lot.

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