FIFA World Cup: Brazil, Mexico, Sweden enter knockout stage

Defending champions Germany have been eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage following defeat by South Korea, in one of the biggest shocks in the competition's history. 

In their final Pool-F game in Kazan last night, the four-time winners crashed out in ignominious fashion - conceding twice in injury time courtesy Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min as they pressed for the goal which would have sent them through.

It is the first time since 1938 that West Germany or the unified Germany team has not advanced beyond the first stage of the tournament - Joachim Low's side finishing bottom of Group F in this edition. South Korea, ranked 57th in the world celebrated their both goals as if they had qualified themselves.

Germany's early elimination was confirmed when Sweden produced a superb performance to beat Mexico, 3-0, in the other Pool-F game at Ekaterinburg, to top the group and advance to the Round-of-16. Ludwig Augustinsson and Andreas Granqvist scored for the Swedes, before Edson Alvarez turned an attempted clearance past his own keeper. 

Although Mexico were handed a defeat, they too qualified, owing to their victory in the first two games.

In Group E, Brazil avoided a shock result by defeating Serbia 2- nill to finish top of their Group and book a last-16 tie against Mexico. Two goals of the match came from Paulinho in 36th minutes and Thiago Silva in 68th minute. 

Jesus, Neymar and Coutinho were a constant menace as Brazil broke with dizzying speed and there were undoubted signs Brazil are starting to move through the gears as the tournament now moves into the knockout phase. Brazil have qualified



from the group stage of the World Cup for the 13th consecutive tournament, a run stretching back to 1970. 

Philippe Coutinho has been involved in six goals in seven matches for Brazil in 2018 with four goals and two assists. In another Group E encounter, Switzerland, who reached the last 16 in Brazil four years ago, have now lost just once in their past 25 matches and finished a World Cup group unbeaten for the first time since the 2006. 

Belrim Dzemaili and Josip Dermic scored for Switzerland. Kendall Watson scored first goal for Costa Rica and Costa Rica, already eliminated, equalised in injury time, as Bryan Ruiz's penalty hit the bar and then bounced in off Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer's head for an own goal. Yann Sommer is just the third goalkeeper to score an own goal at the World Cup.

In the Round-of-16, while Brazil will meet Mexico on Monday, with Sweden taking on Switzerland on Tuesday.

With yesterday's matches, 14 of the 16 knock-out berths have been decided, and two will be determined today when Senegal take on Colombia in Samara, and Japan clash with Poland in Volgograd in Group-H. Both matches will kick off at 7:30 PM. 

In the two Pool-G games, which will be played at 11:30 PM, England will play Belgium in Kaliningrad, with Panama meeting Tunisia in Saransk. Belgium and England have already qualified to the Round-of-16 from the group.