The early headlines Wednesday from Russia couldn't be anymore surprising as both matches produced shock - score lines. First, Mexico had an absolutely dreadful second half in their match with Sweden - conceding 3 goals - including an easy penalty and an own-goal to fall 3-0 and guarantee that the Swedes would advance. The dismal effort still led to jubilation for Mexico fans as Germany could not find the one goal that would send them through.
Instead, the Germans conceded a late goal to Kim Young-gwon in the 92' that was upheld after a VAR review. The goal was originally allowed, then wiped out, then re-instated after a video review showed the goal to not be offsides. Now needing two goals in stoppage time to advance, Germany brought their goalkeeper forward as they pressed hard looking to get on the board and keep their dimming hopes alive. South Korea, however, was able to take advantage of the empty German net however, and were able to launch a clearance ahead that was tracked down at the last moment deep into stoppage time by Son Heung-min in the 96' and tapped in for about the easiest goal you will ever get at this competition. The goal meant the clock had struck midnight on Germany and Die Mannschaft have failed to advance out of the group stage for the first time in their long, illustrious history.
Final thoughts on a truly mind-boggling conclusion to Group F: Mexico had played so well in their first two matches of the tournament. They were trying to become the first CONCACAF team to ever win 3 consecutive matches at a FIFA World Cup - it would have also marked the first time Mexico had ever achieved that mark as well in their long history at the event. The favorites to advance atop the group instead got all they could handle from a very determined Sweden side. Many were wondering how the Swedes would come back from such a devastating, close-defeat to Germany in their last match. They were excellent in the second half, and Mexico was nearly left to wonder what could have been, after the dismal second half they turned in. The shock German result, gives Mexico new life and once again allows them to progress to the Round of 16, where they have been eliminated in six consecutive World Cups. Can they finally get the monkey off their back and break through to the Quarter-finals? About the only thing that is certain coming out of this group is that they are going to have to morph back into the Mexico side from their first two matches and forgot about their performance on Wednesday all-together.
With Germany bowing out already, it guarantees that there will not be back-to-back winners of the World Cup once again - a feat that was last accomplished by Brazil in 1958 and 1962. For the Germans, it really is mind-boggling that "all" they needed was a win over a South Korea side that had already dropped their first two matches, to be able to advance, and for really the first time in their soccer history, were unable to get it done. The # 1 - ranked nation in the World heading into the Tournament is out already, we've got a high-drama, wide-open tournament suddenly on our hands.
SWEDEN 3 MEXICO 0 FT
♼ Ludwig Augustinsson 50'
♼ Andreas Granqvist 62' (P)
♼ Edison Alvarez 74' (OG)
SOUTH KOREA 2 GERMANY 0 FT
♼ Kim Young-gwon 90+2'
♼ Son Heung-min 90+6'