Mats Hummels believes that Toni Kroos’ spectacular late free-kick against Sweden in Sochi could be the moment Germany's World Cup campaign changes for the better.

Die Mannschaft, the current holders, appeared to be heading for a group-stage exit as stoppage time began at the Fisht Stadium with the score at 1-1.

Kroos’ late intervention, however, means Germany can guarantee qualification by bettering Sweden’s result in the final round of Group F games.

After losing their opening game to Mexico in Moscow, Joachim Low’s side may have to make do with a second-place finish but Hummels, who missed Saturday’s victory through injury, believes the win could yet be a turning point.

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

“At the minute it feels good,” the Bayern Munich defender said. “Could it be the moment we look back on when things changed and helped us win the World Cup? Of course. Something like this can have a big impact.

“But we cannot get carried away,” Hummels added. “If we go and make mistakes against South Korea in the next game it means nothing.

“It was a good result, an important goal and an important moment. But now we have to go out and prove that we can be way better. We’ll need to do that if we want to win this tournament – which we do.”

Hummels played in the opening defeat to Mexico and, despite going behind and being frustrated for much of the evening against Sweden, he believes signs of improvement were there.

“We were better than last time against Mexico but not as good as we have to be of course. We have to better in the next game and that’s what we are talking about,” he said.

“It wasn’t perfect but from an emotional side, that late goal was a very, very good thing for us. It gives us a feeling we can improve, we can get better.

“We know that if we had lost we could have come in for a lot of criticism. Hopefully now we can move on.”

A minor neck injury kept Hummels out of the Sweden game and Low will hope he is able to call on the centre-half’s services again soon after Jerome Boateng’s red card in Sochi.