World Cup 2018: Sweden reach last 16 with win over Mexico

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.

Mexico's late worries

Javier Hernandez had only 30 touches against Sweden, the fewest by a Mexico player

With the game fading into injury time and Sweden certain of victory, Mexican fans began to think what was before the game unthinkable - possible elimination.

At that stage, Germany were still drawing 0-0 with South Korea, and a late goal for Joachim Low's side would have moved them into second place on goal difference.

So the two late goals for South Korea - the second came after the final whistle had been blown in Ekaterinburg - were greeted with celebration and relief at the end of a Mexico performance that had little to cheer about.

This was the first time in Colombian Osario's 51 matches in charge of the team that he made no changes from their previous match.

But his team were completely unrecognisable from the 2-1 victory over South Korea that followed that impressive opening 1-0 win against Germany.

They found it far more difficult against Sweden, who were well organised and aggressive all over the pitch.

It now seems that Osario - criticised in the past for too much tinkering - will face questions of a different sort, just when he thought he had found his best XI.

Sweden beat Mexico — Sweden were highly impressive against a team that were fancied to be a danger in the knockout phase

Sweden turn things around

Sweden's cruel last-minute defeat by Germany in the second round of matches looked to have severely diminished their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

But they emphatically put that result behind them.

Before Toni Kroos' 95th-minute goal for Germany, they had performed much in the same way as they did here; difficult to break down, dangerous on the counter and combative at every opportunity.

The only difference was that they were far more clinical against Mexico when chances presented themselves and their three second-half goals left their opponents reeling.

Competing at the tournament for the first time since 2006, it will be intriguing to see how far they can go.

Analysis - The best World Cup in recent memory

Former England and Arsenal defender Matt Upson: It was a very difficult match-up for Mexico in terms of style. From the first minute, Sweden's intent was so clear, the set-pieces, how physical and organised they were. They thoroughly deserved to win the game 3-0.

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman: I don't think anyone saw Sweden winning by three goals. I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this World Cup, the drama of it, the unpredictability. The change in momentum and scorelines is fantastic. It's probably the best World Cup I can remember.

Man of the match - Andreas Granqvist

The fastest World Cup booking - the key stats

Sweden have now reached the last 16 of the World Cup on each of the last four occasions in which they have qualified for the tournament.

This was Sweden's biggest win in a World Cup match since they defeated Bulgaria 4-0 in 1994 in the third-place play-off match.

Mexico have reached the last 16 in each of the last eight World Cup tournaments they have taken part in.

Andreas Granqvist is the first Swede to score two or more goals in a single World Cup tournament since Henrik Larsson in 2002 (three goals).

This was Mexico's worst defeat at the World Cup since they were beaten 6-0 by Germany in 1978.

Ludwig Augustinsson's opener was the first goal he has scored for Sweden's senior team... with what was his first shot at this tournament.

Mexico's Jesus Gallardo was shown a yellow card after just 15 seconds in this game - the quickest anyone has ever been booked in the World Cup.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Mexico

Formation 4-2-3-1

13Ochoa
21Álvarez
3Salcedo
15MorenoBooked at 61mins
23GallardoBooked at 1minsSubstituted forFabiánat 65'minutes
16Herrera
18GuardadoSubstituted forJM Coronaat 75'minutes
7LayúnBooked at 85minsSubstituted forPeraltaat 89'minutes
11Vela
22Lozano
14Hernández

Substitutes

1J Corona
2Ayala
4Márquez
5Gutiérrez
6J dos Santos
8Fabián
9Jiménez
10G dos Santos
12Talavera
17JM Corona
19Peralta
20Aquino

Sweden

Formation 4-4-2

1Olsen
2LustigBooked at 88mins
3Lindelöf
4Granqvist
6Augustinsson
17Claesson
7LarssonBooked at 26minsSubstituted forSvenssonat 57'minutes
8EkdalSubstituted forHiljemarkat 80'minutes
10Forsberg
9BergSubstituted forThelinat 68'minutes
20Toivonen

Substitutes

5Olsson
11Guidetti
12Johnsson
13Svensson
14Helander
15Hiljemark
16Krafth
18Jansson
19Rohdén
21Durmaz
22Thelin
23Nordfeldt

Referee:: Néstor Pitana
Attendance:: 33,061

Match Stats

Home TeamMexicoAway TeamSweden

Possession: Home67%; Away33%

Shots: Home20; Away15

Shots on Target: Home3; Away5

Corners: Home7; Away3

Fouls: Home14; Away11

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Mexico 0, Sweden 3.
90'+5'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Mexico 0, Sweden 3.

90'+3'
Post update
Attempt saved. Hirving Lozano (Mexico) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Héctor Moreno.
90'+3'
Post update
Edson Álvarez (Mexico) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'
Post update
Foul by Isaac Thelin (Sweden).
90'+3'
Post update
Attempt saved. Héctor Herrera (Mexico) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Jesús Manuel Corona.
90'+1'
Post update
Foul by Marco Fabián (Mexico).
90'+1'
Post update
Ola Toivonen (Sweden) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+1'
Post update
Corner, Mexico. Conceded by Viktor Claesson.
89'
Post update
Attempt missed. Hirving Lozano (Mexico) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Héctor Herrera following a corner.
89'
Post update
Corner, Mexico. Conceded by Ola Toivonen.
89'
Substitution
Substitution, Mexico. Oribe Peralta replaces Miguel Layún.
88'
Booking
Mikael Lustig (Sweden) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
88'
Post update
Hirving Lozano (Mexico) wins a free kick on the left wing.
88'
Post update
Foul by Mikael Lustig (Sweden).
87'
Post update
Héctor Herrera (Mexico) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87'
Post update
Foul by Viktor Claesson (Sweden).
85'
Booking
Miguel Layún (Mexico) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
85'
Post update
Foul by Miguel Layún (Mexico).
85'
Post update
Ola Toivonen (Sweden) wins a free kick on the right wing.

As It Stood

A

	Team	P	W	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Uruguay	3	3	0	5	0	5	9
2	Russia	3	2	1	8	4	4	6
3	Saudi Arabia	3	1	2	2	7	-5	3
4	Egypt	3	0	3	2	6	-4	0

B

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Spain	3	1	2	0	6	5	1	5
2	Portugal	3	1	2	0	5	4	1	5
3	Iran	3	1	1	1	2	2	0	4
4	Morocco	3	0	1	2	2	4	-2	1

C

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	France	3	2	1	0	3	1	2	7
2	Denmark	3	1	2	0	2	1	1	5
3	Peru	3	1	0	2	2	2	0	3
4	Australia	3	0	1	2	2	5	-3	1

D

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Croatia	3	3	0	0	7	1	6	9
2	Argentina	3	1	1	1	3	5	-2	4
3	Nigeria	3	1	0	2	3	4	-1	3
4	Iceland	3	0	1	2	2	5	-3	1

E

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Brazil	3	2	1	0	5	1	4	7
2	Switzerland	3	1	2	0	5	4	1	5
3	Serbia	3	1	0	2	2	4	-2	3
4	Costa Rica	3	0	1	2	2	5	-3	1

F

	Team	P	W	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Sweden	3	2	1	5	2	3	6
2	Mexico	3	2	1	3	4	-1	6
3	South Korea	3	1	2	3	3	0	3
4	Germany	3	1	2	2	4	-2	3

G

	Team	P	W	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	England	2	2	0	8	2	6	6
2	Belgium	2	2	0	8	2	6	6
3	Tunisia	2	0	2	3	7	-4	0
4	Panama	2	0	2	1	9	-8	0

H

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Japan	2	1	1	0	4	3	1	4
2	Senegal	2	1	1	0	4	3	1	4
3	Colombia	2	1	0	1	4	2	2	3
4	Poland	2	0	0	2	1	5	-4	0

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60 comments

While qualifying ahead of the Netherlands it was all about how Netherlands failed, the same with Italy in the play offs and now with a group including Germany. How about credit to Sweden on a fantastic achievement.
Far better team now they don’t have to facilitate Zlatans ego...
Superb recovery by Sweden after the traumatic last second loss against Germany.
I live in Mexico, have a Mexican girlfriend and many friends here, so naturally I want them to go as far as possible until such time that they might meet England!

I don't think I've experienced anything in a World Cup for years as nerve-jangling as that final few minutes, including England games

Probably not since 98. Or perhaps 2004

Really pleased, but a big reality check for Mexico fans
Wow!
Who saw this coming?
On paper, every single one of the pundits had Mexico top on 9, Germany 2nd on 6, Sweden 3rd on 3, & South Korea bottom with 0
Sweden are top, Mexico 2nd & it's Germany last!
Well played Sweden (Italy must be gutted!)
All together now
"They're going home, they're going home, Germany's going home"
(Repeat until voice gives out!)
Zlatan who?
Surprised at this one tbh. Expected a pretty tight affair but fair play to Sweden looks like it's been fairly comfortable .
Its really nice to see a team under the radar get through this tough group, and they were really unlucky with that late goal against the Germans, but still managed a terrific result today good luck to them.
Made up with Sweden going through with Mexico, these are the type of teams I'm happy seeing in the last sixteen, none of your "Coming home" claptrap
Sweden have now had a hand in knocking Holland, Italy and Germany out of the competition. Hope England don't have to play them !
Well deserved. A decent team.
Will be a good match up Sweden vs Switzerland. Two teams as opposed to those teams built around particular individuals. We fall into that camp now which is no bad thing IMO
How come the Mexican fans in Russia don't look a bit like those trying to cross America's southern borders. Rhetorical question.
Someone please gag Phil Neville. Only wanted to chat about his mate, Chicken Rita, whole game. Even annoying on just highlights!
I fancy Sweden to win !
Outstanding performance and result by the Sweden team.
Always knew Sweden were decent following the qualification games to get here in the first place. I think they also denied Italy a place here in Russia in the Playoff match. Well done Sweden!
But Germany... hahahahahah
This HYS has 42 posts opposed to over 1300 for the other final game in this group!

But, truth be told, both these teams have been far more impressive than Germany and, as an England fan, I would far rather have played Germany than either Mexico or Sweden in the later stages of the competition.

And, as a footnote, the lack of class shown by those two German officials has been amply rewarded.
29 "Well done to South Korea for a historic day that will last long in the memory"

Speak for yourself. South Korea are the dirtiest team in the competition. Amazed no Mexican, Swedish or German players ended up in hospital after playing them. And Son, the darling of the BBC (probably because of the club he plays for) dives more than Neymar. If they'd gone through it would have been a travesty.