Ozil, Khedira out as Germany make changes for Sweden game

Soccer Football - World Cup - Germany Training - Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Russia - June 22, 2018 Germany's Mesut Ozil during training REUTERS/Hannah McKay

SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Germany coach Joachim Loew has dropped Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira from the side that desperately need a victory over Sweden in their World Cup Group F clash in Sochi on Saturday.

The Germans, defending world champions, came in for harsh criticism after their opening 1-0 loss to Mexico, with Ozil and Khedira singled out.

They have been relegated to the bench in favour of Marco Reus and Sebastian Rudy, while Jonas Hector comes in for the injured Mats Hummels and Antonio Rudiger replaces Marvin Plattenhardt.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Germany News Conference - Sochi, Russia - June 21, 2018 Germany's Sami Khedira during a news conference. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Centre back Victor Lindelof returns to an otherwise unchanged Sweden side following his recovery from an illness that kept him out of their opening 1-0 win over South Korea.

Sweden will reach the last 16 with either victory over the Germans who they have not beaten in a competitive game since 1958, or two draws in their final two games.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - Germany Squad Announcement - Eppan, Italy - June 4, 2018 Germany coach Joachim Loew during the press conference REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed Osmond)