Saturday provided a tense showing for 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F teams. Mexico defeated South Korea to move to six points, while Germany stunned Sweden in the final minutes to get their first three games of the tournament.
South Korea
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After shocking Germany in their World Cup opener, Mexico looked to better their chances at moving onto the knockout rounds. Korea, who had lost in a close match against Sweden, looked to get their first points and avoid elimination.
First Half
The game got off a little rough, with Korea showing their physicality. Although Mexico controlled possession, the Korean side looked to throw them off with tackles. The disruption would stave off Mexico’s attack early and open up chances for themselves.
Son Heung-Min, who was clearly Korea’s most dangerous player on the pitch, came in with the game’s first opportunity. In the 22nd minute alone, he had three shots blocked by Mexican defenders. Ki Sung-yueng had his shot saved by Guillermo Ochoa after a cross from Son. Early on, Korea looked to capitalize on Mexico’s mistakes and pin them back.
Things took a quick turn after Jang Hyun-Soo was called for a handball in the box. Subsequently, Carlos Vela took the penalty kick and converted to give Mexico the lead after the 24th minute for his first World Cup goal.
Miguel Layun nearly extended the lead in the 28th minute when Carlos Vela found him in the center of the box. The strike was saved by Jo Hyeon-Woo, resulting in a corner.
Korea would soon get another chance off of a free kick. Son opted for the direct kick, going just over the crossbar.
The rest of the first half was played relatively evenly, paired with Korea’s aggressiveness.
Second Half
The latter half of the match started with Mexico taking multiple opportunities near goal, with most posing little to no danger.
Ki put a great shot on goal from outside of the box in the 56th minute, forcing Ochoa to make the save and keep Mexico on top.
In the 58th minute, Andres Guardado put together two good shots. The first missing just to the left and the second saved from a diving Cho.
Mexico rewarded themselves with some comfort in the 66th minute. Hirving Lozano began a counter down the middle, with Vela to his left and Javier Hernandez to his left. He found Hernandez, who then put it right past the keeper to take a 2-0 lead.
Korea’s Son finally broke through late in the game to give his side some hope, putting one in the back of the net in the 93rd minute.
With no points after the loss, Korea sit in the cellar. They would need a Germany victory over Sweden in order to stay alive. If Sweden were to win or draw in the second game, Mexico would lock up a spot in the knockout rounds.
Germany
After the game between Korea and Mexico, both Germany and Sweden knew what was at stake. A loss would see Germany out of the World Cup. Sweden would move through with a win.
First Half
Germany found themselves in complete domination of the first half. Julian Draxler and Jonas Hector took shots in the first three minutes of the game.
In the first 10 minutes, Germany was claiming over 90% of possession.
Draxler took another shot in the 7th minute that misses by inches. From left side of the box to the middle. Nobody there to tap it in.
The 12th minute saw Sweden’s first opportunity of the match and potentially a missed call. Marcus Berg made a run on a through ball. As he got to the top of the box, Jerome Boateng sprinted right next to Berg and put his leg in front of the Swedish player. Berg fell and the ball ended up with Manuel Neuer.
Pace of play changed for Germany when Sebastian Rudy was given a bloody nose in the 27th minute. Playing with 10-men, Germany allowed Sweden to gain some comfort with the ball. Rudy was replaced four minutes later by Ilkay Gündogan.
A minute later, a counter gave Sweden some life. Viktor Claesson found Ola Toivonen in the box, who then finished it off for the lead.
Second Half
Like in the first half, Germany came out firing early. This time it resulted in success.
A cross from Mario Gomez took a slight deflection in the box and Marco Reus gave Germany their first goal of the World Cup, as well as new hope in the face of elimination.
Toni Kroos nearly made it 2-1 in the 49th, getting a right footed shot blocked. Jonas Hector put another shot on goal in the 55th minute, forcing a save from Robin Olsen.
Things turned bleak for Germany, going down a man after a hard tackle from Boateng on Berg. Being tied in the 82nd minute, Germany had to dig deep to give themselves a real chance at obtaining a knockout round berth.
Julian Brandt, who came on to replace Hector in the 87th minute, rattled the post with a laser in the 92nd minute.
With one minute left, Jimmy Durmaz fouled Werner just outside of the box, giving Germany a superb chance at goal to the left of the box.
Kroos and Reus stood by the ball, waiting to take the shot. Kroos tapped it to Reus, who held the ball there for Kroos to put the ball on goal.
With the results, Germany found themselves right back in the thick of things.
Mexico have the top spot in Group F with six points. Germany and Sweden follow with three points, while South Korea sit with zero.
Had Sweden held onto the draw, Mexico would have clinched a berth in the knockout rounds. The most straightforward approach, without looking into other scenarios, a win or tie against Sweden would see Mexico through. The other three teams need victories and some help to get through, with Korea needing the most help.