Germany eliminated with loss to S. Korea
Germany lost to South Korea 2-0 on Wednesday, becoming the fourth defending champion in the last five tournaments to be eliminated in group stage.
KAZAN, RUSSIA — Everyone was waiting for Germany to score another late World Cup-saving goal.
It never came. Instead, the Germans have become the fourth defending champions in the last five tournaments to be eliminated in the group stage following a 2-0 loss to South Korea on Wednesday.
The four-time champions allowed a pair of injury-time goals while knowing a 1-0 victory would have been enough to advance because of the result in the other group match. Germany ended up last in Group F while Sweden and Mexico advanced to the round of 16. South Korea was also eliminated despite the victory.
Brazil 2, Serbia 0
MOSCOW — Worried no more, Brazil is through at the World Cup.
Paulinho and Thiago Silva scored a goal each Wednesday to give the five-time champions a 2-0 victory over Serbia and first place in their group. Brazil struggled in its opening two matches, first held to a 1-1 draw and then needing late goals to win the other. But they controlled this one.
Paulinho gave his team the lead when he met a lofted ball from Philippe Coutinho in the 36th minute. The defensive midfielder let the ball bounce in front of him near the penalty spot and kicked his right leg in the air to tap it over the goalkeeper's fingertips. Silva later scored with a powerful header in the 68th from Neymar's corner.
Sweden 3, Mexico 0
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA — Sweden dominated Mexico 3-0 to move on to the World Cup knockout round, and thanks to South Korea, Mexico also advances.
Ludwig Augustinsson volleyed a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa from close range five minutes into the second half, and captain Andreas Granqvist converted a penalty kick to help Sweden take control Wednesday and win Group F.
Despite the loss, Mexico also advances as runner-up in the group thanks to South Korea's surprising win over Germany. Mexico has been to the round of 16 for seven straight World Cups. Sweden had not been to the knockout stage since 2006.
Switzerland 2, Costa Rica 2
NIZHNY NOVGOROD,
RUSSIA — Switzerland was hoping for a drama-free route into the last 16 of the World Cup. It didn't get it.
Switzerland qualified alongside Group E winner Brazil despite twice losing the lead in a riveting 2-2 draw with Costa Rica on Wednesday. The game ended with a stoppage-time equalizer as Costa Rican captain Bryan Ruiz's penalty kick hit the crossbar, then bounced off of goalkeeper Yann Sommer's head and into the goal.
Although the draw didn't affect Switzerland's progression, captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and fellow defender Fabian Schaer each picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament, meaning they will both be suspended for the knockout game against Group F winner Sweden on Tuesday in St. Petersburg.