You know how the cliché goes by now. “Football is a simple game”, and especially - it turns out - if you play for Janne Andersson’s Sweden, dutifully chasing hopeful direct passes and picking up scraps from an honest and willing target man. You harry and hassle, you drop off and defend. You are one of 22 men running around chasing a ball for 90 minutes in a simple but effective manner. On the whole, you play well. And yet, in the end, Germany Football still win.

Until Toni Kroos’ spectacular late free-kick had arced around Sweden’s goalkeeper Robin Olsen and into the top-right hand corner, it appeared as though the World Cup would see its holders eliminated at the group stage for the third consecutive tournament. A 1-1 draw would have left Germany with much to do in their final Group F game against South Korea.

The victory does not mean that Die Mannschaft’s work is done, either. They, this devastated Swedish side and Mexico could all yet end on six points each, with qualification settled by goal difference or results between the three. Germany, though, have a chance. They are part of this World Cup again having seemed for so long to be leaving it.

Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Show all 25 1 /25 Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings We run the rule over both teams after a dramatic late finish. Getty Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Germany player ratings SOCHI, RUSSIA JUNE 23, 2018: Germany's Joshua Kimmich, Marco Reus, Julian Draxler, Thomas Muller, Timo Werner (L-R 1st row), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Sebastian Rudy, Antonio Rudiger, Toni Kroos, Jonas Hector, Jerome Boateng (L-R 2nd row) pose for a group photo ahead of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F football match against Sweden at Fisht Stadium. Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS (Photo by Mikhail Tereshchenko\TASS via Getty Images) Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Manuel Neuer - 6 out of 10 He backed himself against Toivonen for the goal, and was beaten, something he will be very disappointed about. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Joshua Kimmich - 6 Much like against Mexico, his attacking play was impressive, but he left huge gaps behind him that were exploited. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Jerome Boateng - 3 Truly awful. Unable to get back when he ventured forwards and could’ve given away a penalty as he tried to get back. Ended up being sent off late on, Germany were better without him. FIFA via Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Antonio Ruediger - 5 Alongside Boateng his performance was amongst the worst for Germany. Little leadership or authority, lacking everything Sweden showed. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Jonas Hector - 6 Another better going forward than in defence. Had a chance inside the area but Olsen saved comfortably. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Sebastian Rudy - 6 Had little impact on the game after going off early after an accidental clash that left his nose gushing with blood. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Toni Kroos - 8 Had little impact going forward and couldn’t help his defence against the Sweden counter. Improved in the second half, and his performance will be forgotten thanks to his late, late strike. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Thomas Mueller - 7 Had a poor game and offered little going forward. One of many that must improve in the coming games AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Marco Reus - 7 Had flashes of brilliance and one of the better German attackers, getting the all-important equalising goal AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Julian Draxler - 5 Poor, and showed little of his talent and skill. Hauled off at half-time as Germany were forced into finding an equaliser. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Timo Werner - 6 Carried on running and trying to get at the Sweden defence. Showed his talent but couldn’t find the final pass or finish. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Sweden Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Robin Olsen - 7 Made a couple of good saves, particularly to deny Gundogan from range, could do nothing for either goal. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Mikael Lustig - 7 Strong in defence, and stuck to his task well, with guidance from the experienced Granqvist. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Victor Lindelof - 7 Back from an illness, and straight into the action as he was at the heart of defence that kept Germany out for so long. Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Andreas Granqvist - 7 His huge experience was called upon and he marshalled the defence with authority, gave everything and was out on his feet at the final whistle. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Ludwig Augustinsson - 7 Looked impressive with a couple of balls into the box, and like the rest of his team have everything. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Viktor Claesson - 7 Provided a great assist for Toivonen’s goal and worked hard in both defence and attack. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Sebastian Larsson - 7 A threat going forward, whilst helping out his defence. Good from set pieces, which is helped by the height of his teammates. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Albin Ekdal - 7 Another that spent the majority of his time defending. Used his big frame and strength to his advantage. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Emil Forsberg - 7 Despite all his attacking promise, he also stuck to his task in defence to deny the Germans particularly first half. AFP/Getty Images Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Ola Toivonen - 8 A brilliance piece of skill and calmness for the opening goal, and a constant threat for Sweden. Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS Germany vs Sweden: Player ratings Marcus Berg - 7 Had two very good chances in the first half, one through against Neuer and a header that was saved. A real pest for the German defence. AFP/Getty Images

When Ola Toivonen superbly lobbed Manuel Neuer shortly after the half-hour mark to put Sweden ahead, the world champions were being written. Yet an equaliser from the boot of Marco Reus followed shortly after half-time and from there, Germany laid siege. Even when Jerome Boateng’s red card reduced their numbers, they pushed on, knowing a draw was almost as good as a defeat.

Olsen coped well, beating away each attempt right up until the very last - a free-kick too wicked to keep out. Kroos was one of those doubted after last weekend’s defeat to Mexico last week, and partly at fault for Toivonen opening the scoring, but by the final whistle all was forgiven.

The Swedish, meanwhile, were incensed by the celebrations Kroos’ strike provoked from the German bench. Video footage later appeared to show two German officials goading their opponents. Low denied all knowledge of ‘gestures’ or attempts to mock Sweden. He and his staff were, he claimed, simply “elated” with the victory after a such challenging week.

The manner of the defeat to Mexico demanded changes and Germany made four, but the two unrelated to injury were the most striking. Mesut Ozil - ineffective last weekend - and Sami Khedira - overran in midfield that day - were available for selection but both would watch the entirety of this match from the substitutes’ bench.

For all Löw’s talk of “deep trust” in his players a day earlier, these two decisions appeared to be the opening words in this final chapter for the Leistungszentrum generation - the first talents produced by Germany’s revolution in youth coaching in the early 2000s, who eventually broke through eight years ago in South Africa.

Özil, now 29, and Khedira, 31, have been mainstays in Die Mannschaft ever since. The Arsenal playmaker’s absence was particularly symbolic. Özil had started the last 26 tournament games for Germany - a run dating back to his competitive debut in their opening game of the 2010 World Cup.

In his place came Reus. Khedira, meanwhile, was replaced by Sebastian Rudy - a less elegant player, but a more natural fit in a pure holding midfield role. It was a concession that the midfield battle had been lost against Mexico and that here, it had to be won.

Ola Toivonen scored a stunning opening goal (Getty)

In the very early stages, Low’s plan was working. His players’ pride was clearly still stung and they sought to put memories of last Sunday to rest early. Julian Draxler should have done just that with no more than four minutes on the clock, but his attempt was somehow blocked from six yards out.

Germany pressed on with the controlled possession play that until now has served them so well under Löw. By the 10th-minute mark, Die Mannschaft had wracked up 119 successful passes, mostly in the final third. Their opponents, by comparison, had completed six. Andersson has drilled this Sweden side so effectively, however, that one pass can be enough.

Two minutes later, Viktor Claesson almost found it, slipping Marcus Berg through one-on-one with ease. The Al Ain striker managed to stay a yard ahead of Jerome Boateng on his dash towards goal right until he prepared to shoot, when he felt a sudden jolt in the back. Neuer smothered the shot and Berg’s penalty appeals were ignored - by both the referee and VAR.

Though indignant, Sweden had at least exploited Germany now and became confident of doing so again. When Kroos uncharacteristically and carelessly ceded possession, Claesson was ready again. It was his cross that Toivonen expertly brought down with his first touch. The striker’s second was the exquisite finish over Neuer’s head to establish a lead.

Marco Reus dragged his side back into the game (Getty)

It was a half that taught Löw and his players the value of uncomplicated and sometimes ugly football. Germany’s equaliser, three minutes after play re-started, followed suit. Reus did not need to apply the surest touch to Timo Werner’s cut-back from the byline. Anything would do. The bundled finish had just enough on it to pass Olsen.

The remainder was relentless, with Germany intent on finding a winner, but having simply watched the equaliser beat him, Olsen later offered much more resistance. If not for his quick reactions, Victor Lindelof, the Manchester United defender, would have spectacularly converted into his own net.