The World Champions Germany went out of the group stage thanks to South Korea’s incredible defending. Mexico survived because of Germany’s failure to score. The energized Mexico team that fuelled them to victory over Germany was not there as Mexico was humbled by Sweden.
However, it was a great comeback from Sweden as they came back to win convincingly after a last minute defeat to world-beaters Germany. Sweden finished at the top of Group F as a result. Sweden was the better team right from the start of the match while the Mexicans were shaky. Sweden should have had a penalty when Javier Hernandez appeared to have committed a hand-ball. The referee watched replays of the incident, nevertheless stood by his decision.
Mexicans carried the attack to the Swedish end and Carlos Vela shot narrowly wide of the goal. However, that was as far as the Mexican attack could go. They were mostly subdued. Sweden counter-attacked and just before half time, Berg shot wide of the Mexican goal.
Just 5 minutes into the second half, Berg miscued his shot but the ball fell to Ludwig who shot with precision for the first goal of the night. Very soon, another break from Sweden saw a sliding tackle from Hector Moreno go horribly wrong for Mexico to concede a penalty that was smashed into goal by Granqvist. Then fell the final blow of the night for Mexico, as a long throw was flicked in for Edson Alvarez, who turned the ball into his own net.
The Mexican players were heartbroken after the end of the match, but the supporters were celebrating wildly! Mexican players thought that they were out of the competition but elsewhere South Korea had scored two goals to send world-beaters Germany packing while Mexico advanced into the knockout stages. Hope the Mexicans will learn from their mistakes and play better in the next round.
