The Germans are Out!!!
The defending champions suffer a humiliating exit
Sweden win Group F
Mexico qualify as runner-up
Korea Republic eliminated, but take down the mighty Germans
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group A..."
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group B..."
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group C..."
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group D..."
The defending champions suffer a humiliating exit
Sweden win Group F
Mexico qualify as runner-up
Korea Republic eliminated, but take down the mighty Germans
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group A..."
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group B..."
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group C..."
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group D..."
Group F
Defending World Cup champions Germany's worst nightmare has come true, as they are now the third successive champions to crash down in the group stages.
A youthful Germany's line-up picked before the competition, (notably without Leroy Sane, Germany's brightest player at club level last season) found it difficult with their dismal performances and failure to follow-up that incredible victory over Sweden which resulted in that complete breakdown against the Korea Republic.
The Koreans are now leaving the competition with their heads held high as a win against the now former Champions and finishing above their opponents in 3rd place will give them huge confidence for the future.
Sweden who lost that crucial game against Germany last week put in their best performance of the campaign tonight. Their 3-0 victory now means that they have moved top of Group F, dethroning their opponents Mexico who finish 2nd.
Sweden's and Mexico's fate will be settled later upon the conclusion of the Group E games.
A youthful Germany's line-up picked before the competition, (notably without Leroy Sane, Germany's brightest player at club level last season) found it difficult with their dismal performances and failure to follow-up that incredible victory over Sweden which resulted in that complete breakdown against the Korea Republic.
The Koreans are now leaving the competition with their heads held high as a win against the now former Champions and finishing above their opponents in 3rd place will give them huge confidence for the future.
Sweden who lost that crucial game against Germany last week put in their best performance of the campaign tonight. Their 3-0 victory now means that they have moved top of Group F, dethroning their opponents Mexico who finish 2nd.
Sweden's and Mexico's fate will be settled later upon the conclusion of the Group E games.
Matchday 3
Korea Republic Vs Germany
Kim Young-Gwon 90+2'
Son Heung-Min 90+6'
Match Highlights
Germany has been eliminated at the Group Stages, after suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Korea Republic and finishing shockingly in 4th place as their opponents finish 3rd.
Even though both sides are going home, at least the Korea Republic has restored pride to their side after their gutsy display against the now "former champions."
Neither team managed to find the net inside 90 minutes, as elsewhere Sweden was 3-0 up and on the verge of qualifying as Group winners.
But, Korea struck in the 92nd minute through a corner that Germany defended horribly to clear and the ball fell into the path of Kim Young-Gwon. His goal was referred to VAR which saw Toni Kroos make a back pass to the Korean scorer, instantly removing the possibility of an off-side.
The killer blow came in the 96th minute after the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer lost possession in the opposition half, and Ju Se-jong gained possession and passed the ball upfield for Son Heung-Min to tap in Germany's home ticket.
Mexico Vs Sweden
Augustinsson 50'
Glanqvist (P) 64'
Alvarez (OG) 72'
A dominant and more importantly focused Sweden side cruised into the last-16 and topping Group F, with a handsome victory against the group leaders Mexico, who also progressed at the expense of a faltering German side.
Sweden who knew that only a win would give them a chance of progressing, geared up in the second half as left-back Ludwig Augustinsson fired the opener after the ball inadvertently fell into his path before Andreas Glanqvist smashed in his second spot-kick of the tournament to double Sweden's advantage.
The killer blow was handed by the Mexican defense itself, who failed to clear their lines as Edson Alvarez turned the ball into his own net.
Mexico who had got the job done early in the competition would be disappointed not the clinch top spot as they along with Sweden will learn their fates upon conclusion of the action in Group F.
Matchday 2
Germany Vs Sweden
Reus 48'
Kroos 90+5'
Toivonen 32'
A make-or-break fixture for the defending Champions Germany saw late drama as Toni Kroos scored an injury-time winner to keep his nation's qualification hopes alive along with becoming the first team to retain the title since 1962.
Sweden who had to avoid defeat to keep their qualification hopes alive started brilliantly as Ola Toivonen lobed his side into the lead.
A rejuvenated Germany hit back in the second half which they dominated as Marco Reus who made his return to the starting line-up after an injury-hit career, scored the equalizer.
Germany, who knew that a draw would do them no good, kept chasing for the winner but had to see their center back Jerome Boateng receive a second yellow card.
Toni Kroos' wonder moment
But, as the Champions kept pushing on, they were rewarded as Toni Kroos scored a delicious narrow-angled free-kick to give his nation hope that they can seal a place in the last-16.
Korea Republic Vs Mexico
H.M. Son 90+3'
Vela 26'
J. Hernandez 66' (P)
Mexico became the first team to seal qualification into the last-16, with a second consecutive win, this time against South Korea who also confirmed their elimination with their second straight defeat.
Mexico, who had recently overcome the might Germany, got their party started in the 26th minute, as Carlos Vela scored from the spot.
In the second half, Mexico striker Javier Hernandez made history by scoring his 50th international goal and doubling his side's advantage.
Son's long ranger
That Hernandez goal proved to be vital, as South Korea who was on the verge of elimination, found one back through a wonder strike from their star player Heung-Min Son, but it was just to be a consolatory effort.
Matchday 1
Mexico Vs Germany
Lozano 35'
Defending World Cup champions Germany endured a nightmare start to their campaign after falling to Mexico who was the "mighty" side on the night indeed.
The breakthrough came in the 35th minute, as Javier Hernandez put in the perfect ball for the country's newest wonder kid Hirving Lozano who scored that decisive strike.
Germany got brilliant chances through Toni Kroos and Julian Brandt, but to no avail as a resilient Mexico stayed strong to move top of Group F.
Sweden Vs Korea Republic
Granqvist 65' (P)
Sweden marked their first world cup appearance in 12 years with a win, as VAR awarded a spot-kick which was converted by Andreas Granqvist.
The decision was awarded by VAR after Kim Min-woo had fouled Viktor Claesson and the resulting spot-kick was converted by Granquist against the Korea Republic side who failed to have a single shot on target.
However, the Korean keeper Cho made two fine saves, one from Marcus Berg's close-range shot and the other through Ola Toivonen's header.
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