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Defending champions Germany are out of the World Cup. They finished bottom on goal difference.
Defeated 2-0 by a determined Korea Republic side, the Germans join Italy (1950, 2010), Brazil (1966), France (2002) and Spain (2014) in the undesirable club of reigning champions, who have failed to advance to the knockout stages.
The Taeguk Warriors’ victory, secured by two goals in stoppage time, is the first by an Asian team versus Germany in seven attempts at the World CuP.
It did not save them though from elimination, because in the other match in Group F, Sweden motored to a well-deserved 3-0 win over Mexico.
At the mercy of a German goal for a significant period of their match, the Mexican fans appeared resigned to their fate, waiting for Gary Lineker’s famous quote – “Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win” – to come true yet again.
But this time, it was not to be.
Sweden, who beat Mexico 3-0, have topped the group. Mexico come second.
South Korea are also packing their bags but they go home having knocked out the defending champions. What a moment. What a World Cup!
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BRAZIL SEE OFF SERBIA TO TOP GROUP
Brazil will face Mexico in a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash in Samara after they won Group E by beating Serbia 2-0 at the Spartak Moscow Stadium.
The South Americans thus finished on seven points from three matches, while Serbia were left facing an early flight home after failing to get the win they so desperately needed.
Brazil took the lead in the 36th minute when Paulinho raced through to on to through ball by Philippe Coutinho to lob over the on-rushing goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.
Serbia pushed for an equaliser but lacked the cutting edge and were caught by a classic suck-punch when Thiago Silva headed home powerfully from an outswinging Neymar corner on 68 minutes.
