Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is heading home from the World Cup following Germany’s shock 2-0 defeat to South Korea in Kazan on Wednesday.
Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at some other England-based players also checking out of Russia following the group stage.
Mathew Ryan (Australia)
⚽️?#AUSPER pic.twitter.com/uHkXnVurwo
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
Brighton goalkeeper Ryan started the tournament on the wrong end of a controversial Video Assistant Referee decision – and it did not get much better as Australia finished bottom of Group C.
Antonio Rudiger (Germany)
Bryan Oviedo (Costa Rica)
Mohamed Elneny (Egypt)
It wasn’t to be for @ElNennY – #EGY bow out of the #WorldCup after a 2-1 defeat by #KSA pic.twitter.com/ilXs4RT0qP
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) June 25, 2018
Arsenal midfielder Elneny started all three games for the Pharaohs, who endured a hugely disappointing World Cup as they finished bottom of Group A with no points.
Mile Jedinak (Australia)
Keeping the boys in line #GoSocceroos ⚽️️️️️️️ @Socceroos v Peru ? Fisht Stadium, Sochi ⌚️️️️️️️ 12:00am AEST, 11:30pm ACST, 10pm AWST? LIVE on @OptusSport and @TheWorldGame pic.twitter.com/uoelwcd7nb
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 26, 2018
Aston Villa defensive midfielder Jedinak scored twice from the penalty spot, but the Socceroos skipper could not help his team earn more than a point, joining Huddersfield’s Aaron Mooy and veteran Tim Cahill on the plane home.
Victor Moses (Nigeria)
What a shot this is for #NGA fans ?#NGAARG pic.twitter.com/E63izXBpIx
— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
At one point on Tuesday it looked as if a penalty from Chelsea wing-back Moses was going to be enough to see the Super Eagles through to the last 16 – before Argentina’s late winner ended their World Cup dream in St Petersburg.
Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Speechless ? Germany are out of the #WorldCup. #DieMannschaft #ZSMMN #KORGER 2-0 pic.twitter.com/FhN2QtNZmp
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 27, 2018
The Gunners playmaker had been recalled for the crucial final group match, but could not find the pass to unlock the South Korea defence as the World Cup holders crashed out.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Mohamed Salah gets another #WorldCup goal but #EGY exit with a 2-1 defeat against #KSA .https://t.co/gzizIlW7dj pic.twitter.com/mwuXAgzIIf
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 25, 2018
Liverpool forward Salah never looked in top form following the shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final, but he at least showed he can produce on the world stage with a fine effort in the last group game against Saudi Arabia.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (Iceland)
Gylfi scores from the penalty spot!!!!#fyririsland pic.twitter.com/bAthyKolHL
— Knattspyrnusambandið (@footballiceland) June 26, 2018
Everton midfielder Sigurdsson found the net with a late penalty in the final group game against Croatia, but it was not enough to stop Iceland going home as they finished bottom of Group D, their 1-1 draw against Argentina now a distant memory.
Ahmed Musa (Nigeria)
Alhamdulillah pic.twitter.com/Tz71cPH57i
— AhmedMusa718 (@Ahmedmusa718) June 22, 2018
Leicester striker Musa played in all three matches for Nigeria, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Iceland in Volgograd which had put the Super Eagles within touching distance of the last 16.
Son Heung-min (South Korea)
?? A memorable @FIFAWorldCup moment for Sonny.#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/cTQ1FTFUaH
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 27, 2018
The Tottenham man had his moment of history with a breakaway second goal against Germany for South Korea, who return home with their heads held high.
