Low drops trusted pupil Ozil for crucial Sweden clash

Mesut Ozil was dropped ahead of Germany's pivotal match against Sweden on Saturday, ending a streak of 26 consecutive starts in major international tournaments.

Marco Reus replaced the Arsenal playmaker in the lineup, with Sebastian Rudy taking Sami Khedira's spot and Antonio Rudiger relieving the injured Mats Hummels as head coach Joachim Low reshuffled his deck.

Ozil was singled out for a poor performance against Mexico earlier this week, while Khedira's lack of movement cost Germany in the middle of the park. Low drafted in Reus and Rudy in hopes of invigorating both the midfield and the attack.

It is a momentous occasion for Reus, whose last start at a big tournament came in the quarter-finals of the 2012 European Championship. He missed the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Euros due to a series of injuries.

Despite the opening 1-0 defeat to Mexico, Low surprised many with his changes. The 58-year-old has ignored calls in the past to drop Ozil and Khedira - two of his most loyal servants - and backed the former following a controversial photo with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

But it appears Germany's current predicament has forced Low's hand. Die Mannschaft must beat Sweden to maintain a shot of qualifying for the knockout round. Mexico is leading Group F with a full six points and Sweden is second with three. Germany is third with zero points.