Russia 2018: Sweden thump Mexico to reach last 16
Sweden propelled themselves into the World Cup knockout stage with a handsome victory over Mexico that qualified them as Group F winners and condemned Germany to early elimination.
Mexico, undone on the counter attack and from the penalty spot before conceding an own goal, joined Sweden in reaching the next round as runners-up despite the defeat as a result of the defending champions also losing.
Germany, the four-time World Cup winners, were beaten 2-0 by South Korea and failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time in 16 consecutive appearances since 1954.
Sweden also had a first-half penalty claim for a handball by Javier Hernandez denied despite going to a VAR review, but in the end it mattered little after their three second-half goals.
Ludwig Augustinsson fired Sweden ahead five minutes after the break when a Viktor Claesson mis-hit inadvertently found him free at the far post, before Andreas Granqvist smashed home a penalty 12 minutes later following Hector Moreno’s trip on Marcus Berg.
Mexico – who went close through a curling Carlos Vela effort in the first half – pressed hard for a reply but were punished again when Edson Alvarez clumsily turned an attempted clearance past his own keeper.
Juan Carlos Osorio’s side, so brilliant in their previous two wins over Germany and South Korea, should have had a goal to show from their underwhelming performance but Vela’s late header was dismal.
The teams will find out who they play in the next round later this evening, after the final round of matches in Group E.
As it stands Sweden would face Switzerland, while Mexico, who have been knocked out in the last 16 of every World Cup since 1994, will most likely play Brazil.
Source: bbc
