South Korea v Germany and after today’s result for Germany, there could be many German playing careers over with some never playing in a World Cup ever again. There has been many a shock in the World Cup over the years but this has to be one of the biggest. Even more so when you consider South Korea had nothing to play for except pride. The Koreans battled and battled throughout the game, but with twenty minutes to go they did honestly look on their last legs, which meant only one thing, Germany would score. They didn’t, but they did have the chances.
Mats Hummels with most of them as he pushed more and more forward in the closing stages. Manuel Neuer must have felt he could help his team out up front too, as he went wandering forward in the dying moments to find an equaliser. Only for him to lose the ball which allowed Japan to pinch it and with one long-range effort towards goal, found Son Heung-min and he tapped it into the net and the whole world must have cheered as the Germans went out.
South Korea 2–0 Germany
Kim Young-gwon Goal 90+3′
Son Heung-min Goal 90+6′
No more games for South Korea or Germany, they’re going home:
Mexico v Sweden and with all four teams in this group still to able to qualify going into the last games, there was everything to play for, although it would have been very difficult for South Korea to still make it. Mexico have played some brilliant football so far in this tournament, especially against Germany but from the start of the game against Sweden they looked like a team had never played together before. As for Sweden, they looked their usual good rigid back line and when they came forward caused Mexico problems.
Mexico held out for 0-0 at half-time but within twenty minutes of the second-half starting they were two nil down and soon it would be three. The Mexico fans in the crowd that after two wins so far, they could still be going out, especially with Germany only needing to score one goal and beat South Korea. Well played Sweden, job done and after their last kick defeat to Germany are through to the next round. Mexico got lucky though, but are still through to the last sixteen after South Korea’s remarkable two nil win over Germany with both goals coming in injury time. Brazil and Switzerland up next respectfully.
Mexico 0–3 Sweden
Augustinsson Goal 50′
Granqvist Goal 62′ (pen.)
Álvarez Goal 74′ (o.g.)
Next fixtures for Mexico v Sweden:
Monday July 2nd: Brazil v Mexico – Samara, 3pm (Match 53)
Tuesday July 3rd: Sweden v Switzerland – St Petersburg 3pm (Match 55)
Serbia v Brazil and the five times winners Brazil finally played their best football of the tournament and with Germany out they are now the rightful favourites to win this tournament. Going into the game Brazil knew all they had to do was not lose and although Serbia had a couple of chances here and there throughout the game, they never really looked like they beat Brazil.
Brazil started the game unchanged from their game against Costa Rica and they got into the Brazilian flow from the first whistle and every time they came forward they looked like they would score. Coutinho was outstanding and has been throughout all the games so far and it was his pass that found Paulinho running through ten minutes before half-time and he made it one nil. Thiago Silva scored a second-half header from a corner to seal the win.
Serbia 0–2 Brazil
Paulinho Goal 36′
Thiago Silva Goal 68′
Next fixtures for Brazil:
Monday July 2nd: Brazil v Mexico – Samara, 3pm (Match 53)
Switzerland v Costa Rica and the Swiss also knew, that if they avoided defeat then they’d be into the last sixteen stage and if Brazil slipped up against Serbia then they could actually top the group. Like a lot of the last group games so far in this tournament, the team actually out and due to go home gave a really good account of themselves and certainly played their part is how the group would finish. Costa Rica were exactly the same as they gave the Swiss a right tough game.
From the off Costa Rica were at the Swiss back line and if it wasn’t for a couple of brilliant Sommer saves as well as the woodwork behind him, they could have been a couple of goals down. Then though, with their first real chance Switzerland scored when a loose ball found Džemaili and he smashed the ball in from close range with the Costa Rican keeper scrambling on the ball. Costa Rica then got their first goal of the tournament when Waston powered in a header from close range. Both teams scored again late on to make it 2-2 in a great game of football, but Costa Rica should’ve won.
Switzerland 2–2 Costa Rica
Džemaili Goal 31′
Drmić Goal 88′
Waston Goal 56′
Sommer Goal 90+3′ (o.g.)
Next fixtures for Switzerland:
Tuesday July 3rd: Sweden v Switzerland – St Petersburg 3pm (Match 55)
