epa06845299 Philippe Coutinho (C) of Brazil in action against Serbia’s goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic (L) during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group E preliminary round soccer match between Serbia and Brazil in Moscow, Russia, 27 June 2018.

by
Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Jun 27, 2018. 22:37


Matchday 14 of the 2018 World Cup saw reigning champions Germany suffer a shock exit, while five-time winners Brazil are safely through alongside Switzerland, Sweden and Mexico following the conclusion of Groups E and F

The afternoon’s drama featured a 3-0 win for Sweden over Mexico in Yekaterinburg, thanks t strike from Ludwig Augustinsson and Andreas Granqvist, as well as an own goal from Edson Alvarez.

The big win took the Scandinavian side to the top of Group F and ‘El Tri’ feared that they would exit despite winning their first two matches in impressive style.

Yet the North Americans actually finished second in the pool thanks to an awful showing from reigning (now outgoing) champions Germany, who slumped to a 2-0 defeat against South Korea in Kazan.

A win would have kept ‘Der Mannschaft’ in the tournament, but injury-time goals from Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min saw Korea leapfrog them into third place. Germany finished stone last and head home with their tails very much between their legs.

The evening games began with Brazil and Switzerland looking good to qualify and neither was really threatened in their Group E clashes against Serbia and Costa Rica respectively.

‘A Selecao’ cruised to a 2-0 win with goals from Paulinho and Thiago Silva to cement top spot and set up a meeting with Mexico in the last 16 on Monday in Samara.

The ‘Rossocrociati’ twice led against Costa Rica but allowed the ‘Ticos’ to fight back and secure a 2-2 draw. Nonetheless, the point was enough for the Swiss to finish second and book a showdown with Sweden in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

Matchday 14, Wednesday 27 June – Results

Group F – South Korea 2-0 Germany

Group F – Mexico 0-3 Sweden

Group E – Serbia 0-2 Brazil

Group E – Switzerland 2-2 Costa Rica


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