Mario Gomez rues Germany’s exit
Photo: Getty for FIFA.com

Day 14 – The Germans are knocked out

The day will live in history as the curse of the World Champions struck again.

Needing a win, Germany struggled to break down the South Koreans. They threw resources forward against South Korea, who hit two late goals on the break, the latter while Manuel Neuer was in their half. In truth, Germany did not lose the Cup today, the opening loss against Mexico had exposed a frailty.

Despite losing 3-0 to Sweden, Mexico will progress to the next round where they will meet Brazil who overcame Serbia 2-0, ending their challenge. South Korea are also heading home, as are Costa Rica. However Los Ticos managed two goals in a dew with Switzerland, making hem the 32nd and last side to score at these Finals.

Sweden and Switzerland both progressed and will face each other in the Round of 16.

DAY 14 – Wednesday June 27
A bad day for Europe has nearly seen them lose the top spot in the Continental Table they have held since the opening day. If three of the four lose and Brazil win, South America will go top of the league.

Germany 0 : 2 South Korea
Shock of shocks, Germany are out of the World Cup. There will be new World Champions. They pummeled the previously pointless South Koreans for most of the match and conceded two late goals as they committed men forward. Kim Young-Gwon (90’+2′) and Son Heung-Min (90’+6′) scored the two stoppage time goals that sent Germany to the bottom of the group, the latter into an empty net with Manuel Neuer way up field. Both sides are eliminated.

Sweden 3 : 0 Mexico
Sweden recovered from the late defeat to Germany with an authoritative win over Mexico. Three second half goals from Ludwig Augustinsson (50′), another Andreas Granqvist penalty twelve minutes later and an own goal from Edson Álvarez, who scored with his left hand,  in the 74th minute ended Mexico’s 100% record.

Nonetheless, both these sides qualified following the German defeat in the other game. Sweden will play Switzerland in an all European tie and Mexico will face Brazil. Héctor Moreno’s yellow card though means he will miss the game.

Serbia 0 : 2 Brazil
Marcelo came out of the game in the first half with an injury to add to Brazil’s defensive shortfall. He was replaced by Filipe Luís. Despite that early setback, Barcelona midfielder Paulinho put Brazil ahead from a Coutinho long ball in the 36th minute at the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow. Thiago Silva added the second  in the 68th with a header from a left wing corner. The loss ended Serbia’s World Cup after such a good first half in which they beat Costa Rica and led Switzerland, all for it to go wrong in the latter 135 minutes.

Brazil win the Group and have an intriguing tie against Mexico to come in the last 16.

Switzerland 2 : 2 Costa Rica
A quite mad ending long after the result could influence anything characterised this game. Switzerland were home and dry with Serbia losing heavily. Despite that, they managed to accrue yellow cards that would see two of their players suspended for the next round, score a winner they didn’t need and concede an equaliser from a late penalty.

Costa Rica started the game on fire and Yann Sommer had made four saves in the first twenty minutes while Saprissa’s Daniel Colindres hit the bar before the game calmed down a little. Blerim Džemaili was the goalscorer who put Switzerland ahead against the run of play. In 56 minutes, Vancouver’s Kendall Waston rose delightfully to head the equaliser, Los Ticos’ first goal of the Finals. In doing so he ensured that every team scored at least once. As the game closed, Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Josip Drmic scored what seemed like a a winner, but a late Bryan Ruiz penalty hit the bar and then Yann Sommer’s head before dropping over the line for a second equaiser.

Lichtsteiner and Schar were booked an will miss the next match in the round of sixteen against Sweden.