Kroos' 95th-minute free-kick saves Germany from World Cup exit

Back from the dead.

Reigning champion Germany was on the brink of a stunning exit in the group stage of the World Cup, only for Toni Kroos to save the day in unbelievable fashion in the 95th minute on Saturday.

After a number of close calls throughout a nervous, back-and-forth match in Sochi, the midfielder's curling free-kick in the dying seconds saw Die Mannschaft escape with a 2-1 victory over Sweden, keeping their tournament alive.

The goal, the latest Germany has ever scored during regulation time of a World Cup contest, puts Kroos and Co. at three points, and means Joachim Low's men still control their own destiny heading into the final group match against South Korea next week.

For much of the game, it looked like Germany, once again vulnerable in midfield and susceptible on the counter-attack, wouldn't be able to get the goals needed to avoid packing up and heading home early.

Ola Toivonen opened the scoring in the first half for Sweden, and Germany found it difficult to craft clear scoring chances against a tightly packed Swedish backline. But Marco Reus potted his first World Cup goal shortly after the interval. Then following some nervous moments - including one excellent, desperate save from Manuel Neuer on a ball that looked like it might squeeze in at the far post - Germany finally notched its game-winning tally in the final seconds.

The Germans procured the nail-biting result without Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira, who were both dropped from the starting XI and didn't come off the bench. Defender Jerome Boateng, meanwhile, capped a woeful display by picking up a second yellow card late in the match, but Kroos' last-second brilliance was enough to render all of that moot.