Sweden brush aside Mexico to top table and seal progress to knock-out stages as Group F winners
Where does your country come in bringing the noise to Russia? Group standings and permutations You are the VAR: Think you can do better than the World Cup referees? Test yourself here
CREDIT: FIFA
Mexico 0 - 3 Sweden
27/06/2018 15:00
Referee: Néstor Pitana|Venue: Central Stadium|Attendance: 33,061
Ludwig Augustinsson50
Andreas Granqvist62
Edson Álvarez74
Live updates from South Korea vs Germany in Group F's other game
Sweden bounced back from the disappointment of last weekend's last-minute defeat to Germany in emphatic style on Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Mexico as Janne Andersson's side sealed their progress to the knockout stages as Group F winners.
After finishing the first half goalless, Sweden broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half through full-back Ludwig Augustinsson before captain Andreas Granqvist doubled their lead from the penalty spot just after the hour mark.
Sweden's place in the last 16 was secured after Mexico defender Edson Álvarez put to ball into the back of his own net when the ball bounced off his hand as he tried to clear a cross.
Despite suffering their first defeat of the tournament, Mexico joined Sweden in the knock-out stages after Germany failed to beat South Korea in Kazan as the world champions were eliminated from the World Cup.
Mexico
13Guillermo Ochoa
23Jesús Gallardo
3Carlos Salcedo
15Héctor Moreno
21Edson Álvarez
16Héctor Herrera
11Carlos Vela
22Hirving Lozano
18Andrés Guardado
7Miguel Layún
14Chicharito
8Marco Fabián
19Oribe Peralta
17Jesús Manuel Corona
Sweden
1Robin Olsen
4Andreas Granqvist
3Victor Lindelöf
6Ludwig Augustinsson
2Mikael Lustig
17Viktor Claesson
10Emil Forsberg
8Albin Ekdal
7Sebastian Larsson
20Ola Toivonen
9Marcus Berg
15Oscar Hiljemark
13Gustav Svensson
22Isaac Thelin
5:17pm
Some stats for you
Sweden has 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 game since they defeated Bulgaria 4-0 in 1994 in a third-place playoff match. Mexico has 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 (3 goals). This was Mexico’s worst defeat at the World Cup since they were defeated 0-6 by Germany in 1978. Mexico full-back Edson Alvarez scored the seventh own-goal of this tournament – more than there has ever been in any previous World Cup. Ludwig Augustinsson’s opener for Sweden was the first goal he has ever scored at international level with the senior team, with what was his first shot at this tournament. Mexico had 20 shots today but failed to find the net with any of them – they last had more shots without scoring in a World Cup game against Germany in 1978 (22). Mexico’s Jesús Gallardo was shown a yellow card after just 15 seconds in this game – it is the fastest anyone has ever been shown a card at the World Cup. This was the first game of this year’s World Cup tournament in which both teams named unchanged line-ups from their previous matches.
5:07pm
More VAR controversy
I love it. Have a go yourself:
5:01pm
Fans checking the scores
CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
CREDIT: GETTY IMAGE
4:58pm
FULL TIME: SOUTH KOREA 2 GERMANY 0
That's astonishing. A brilliant performance from Sweden means they have qualified - deservedly - for the knock out rounds! Germany are out, defeated, hopeless! Stunning finish to Group F.
4:57pm
Group F table
Group F
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
1
Sweden
3
2
0
1
3
6
2
Mexico
3
2
0
1
-1
6
3
Korea Republic
3
1
0
2
0
3
4
Germany
3
1
0
2
-2
3
4:55pm
GOLGOLGOLGOLGOL GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL
GOLGOGLGOLGOGLGOGLGOGLGL SOUTH KOREA HAVE A SECOND! Mexico is completely through! Fans are on their phones, some look exhausted - drained by the experience - others are dancing, cheering, crying, bouncing. Unbelievable.
4:55pm
Mexico players are gathered on the pitch
It's not confirmed yet! AND SOUTH KOREA HAVE SCORED AGAIN!
4:53pm
Follow the end of the Germany game
4:53pm
FULL TIME! Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Amazing! Wow! Mexico fans aren't even watching the end of the game! Both teams are through! Mexico celebrating as though they've won a game they've just been beaten 3-0 in!
4:52pm
MEXICO FANS ARE GOING WILD!
Incredible! The fans are roaring in the stadium! The party has started!
4:52pm
SOUTH KOREA HAVE SCORED!
MEXICO AND SWEDEN ARE THROUGH! OH MY GOD
4:51pm
The referee is checking the South Korea goal...
This is crazy. Mexico keeps attacking but the real action is over in the other game. The referee is watching a screen, Mexico fans are all looking at phones...
4:51pm
90 mins+3 - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
SOUTH KOREA HAVE SCORED! MEXICO FANS GO NUTS! BEER IS THROWN EVERYWHERE...
but it's offside. Wow. Massive moment. VAR is checking it... meanwhile Mexico has a shot saved.
4:50pm
90 mins+2 - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Mexico fans are looking at phones, ipads, anything they can get to find out what's going on in the Germany game. Mexico has a corner and doesn't make use of it, Sweden wins a throw.
South Korea taking their time over a corner against Germany as their right back takes forever to recover from having the ball punted off his genitals. Anything could happen in the next two minutes!
4:47pm
90 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Layun off, Peralta on. Free-kick Mexico. It's fired in... but Toivonen heads it over and behind.
ARGH, IT'S SO TENSE!
4:46pm
88 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Mexico is rushing to get the ball up the pitch, Germany is doing the same. Neither are able to finish their chances. Sweden sitting deep in a 4-4-2 defending their half of the pitch, throwing themselves at slide tackles.
Lustig 'takes one for the team' and wipes out Lozano on the edge of the box. The same place Kroos scored from against Sweden.
4:44pm
86 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden
Mexico fans must feel like they're carrying pianos on their shoulders. The Germany game is ridiculously tense and it seems clear that Mexico won't get back into this one.
Layun is losing his temper as he's shown a yellow card for a really bad tackle/ elbow on Toivonen. That could easily be a red. He's fired up and deliberately thumped the Sweden striker in mid-air, eyes on him while he does it.
4:42pm
84 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Mexico is pushing for a goal but it's not quite falling for them. Sweden are defending so well, they've been brilliant in this game and nothing Mexico try is working.
4:40pm
82 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
So close for Mexico! They are within inches of pulling one back twice in two minutes but Sweden's goal stands firm. Mexico fans are watching the Germany game on their phones in the stand!
4:38pm
80 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Sweden sub, Hiljemark on.
4:36pm
78 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Mexico still hasn't registered a shot on target! Some of their fans are in tears in the crowd - it's all about what happens in the Germany game now!
4:34pm
76 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Who'd have thought it would be 3-0 here? And it's almost 3-1 straight away! What a great save by Olsen at his near post... but it would have been offside anyway as Hernandez attacks a scrappy cross inside the six-yard box.
4:32pm
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLL!
DISASTER FOR MEXICO! They've scored an own goal! A throw-in is hurled in, knocked-on and oh son, that is just horrendous. He misses the clearance, the ball deflects off his standing leg and rolls into the bottom corner. That is an awful thing to happen.
4:30pm
72 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 2
Mexico has still only had one shot on target all game long! That just isn't good enough, quite obviously.
As things stand, Germany are out of the World Cup. There's no way that'll happen though, right?
Football's great, isn't it?
4:29pm
70 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 2
CREDIT: FIFA
Mexico players are trying all sorts of tricks to get free-kicks and penalties now. They were doing better when focused on trying to play with the ball! Free-kick wide right though, the Mexican fans cheer on their side.
Chipped in... and it's a free header! But Hernandez has headed over the bar from 12 yards
4:26pm
69 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 2
Thelin comes on for Berg. Mexico has a corner... but Saicedo heads it behind for goal kick from Vela's cross.
4:25pm
67 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 2
Berg has gone down and may well be feeling the effects of that early tangle with Alvarez. Oh, it's actually Saicedo whacking him on the back of the head. Saicedo then says something angrily to him. Great lad, this Saicedo.
Mexico is playing on, as is their right.
Fabian (on as a substitute) tries a shot from distance but puts it over the bar. Berg has to come off.
4:23pm
65 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 2
"If you are Sweden now you defend for your lives," says Phil Neville, showing his forward-thinking, modern approach to football management. Sweden looks much more likely to keep Mexico at bay by winning the ball in the midfield as they have been. Mexico will go all out attack now though to be fair.
4:20pm
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!
GRANQVIST SCORES! Sweden is 2-0 up! What a game!
Granqvist steps up and absolutely smashes his penalty into the top left of the goal. Ochoa has no chance!
4:19pm
SWEDEN PENALTY
Confirmed!
4:19pm
VAR will check the penalty!
Moreno slides in early, Berg, waits for the foul, puts his leg down and Moreno fouls him. It's a clear penalty and the VAR just needs to review it quickly.
4:18pm
61 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 1
A 1-0 Germany win and 1-0 Sweden win would mean both of those go through. Mexico are nervous! It's still 0-0 in the other game but there's no way they can rely on that staying the same and Sweden are away! They have a three on three! PENALTY! Sweden have a penalty!
4:17pm
59 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 1
Granqvist turns one player and then starts an attack quickly, running into the Mexico half and opening up the pitch with a pass to the right wing. The cross comes in and Berg attacks it... and takes a knock to the rib by Alvarez's forearm. He's felt that! Mexico fans boo him.
4:15pm
57 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 1
Seb Larsson has gone down and his game is done. The stretcher is out for him - though I'm not sure exactly what's happened. No tackle or knock as far as I can see. It must be semi-serious. He's got four medical staff around him... and seems to be a little dizzy.
Let's hope he's OK.
Svensson comes on in his place.
4:13pm
55 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 1
This is much better play from Sweden now. They're passing it well, moving into space and Augustinsson overlaps, cuts inside onto his right foot and bends a shot to the top corner! It's so close to being a second for Sweden!
4:11pm
53 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 1
Oooooooh that is another big chance! Forsberg once again shoots over the bar - what is going on with players at this World Cup? Keep it low! Or at least close to the bar!
Sweden is stealing the ball in midfield and breaking quickly.
4:08pm
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!
SWEDEN HAVE THE LEAD!
That changes everything! Germany has to score now and Sweden have control of the group! It's a great, well-worked goal. The ball is passed low into the box and Claesson completely scuffs his shot but ends up accidentally passing to Augustinsson at the back post! He makes no mistake and smashes into the back of the net!
4:07pm
49 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Lozano tries a low cross from the right of the box but Sweden block and it looks like Mexico are the better team in this half again. They're quicker, sharper off the ball and look more capable with it too. Corner to Mexico.
4:05pm
47 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Moreno goes through the back of Berg again but the referee still isn't keen on telling him off. The free-kick by Lindelof is struck straight out of play for a goal kick. That's so poor.
4:04pm
KICK OFF 2
We're back!
4:02pm
Sweden need a goal
They have to match or better Germany's result - but have to score in order to go through. This is a big half.
4:00pm
More opinions on the non-penalty
Alan Shearer
If it's meant to be a clear and obvious error... we're not sure having looked four or five times so I think the referee is correct.
Didier Drogba
I think it's a penalty.
3:56pm
So many off-target shots
This is common for basically every team in the tournament:
3:56pm
Hate being the guy moaning about referee decisions
But...
And Phil Neville is adamant that this isn't a handball. I'm not sure what game he's watching. Maybe you agree with him? The best thing about VAR is that at least now we can be annoyed with referees for incompetence or a differing opinion rather than simply assuming they didn't see something. It adds validity to their decision making and I think that's so valuable. It helps discussion!
3:51pm
Pundit reaction to that penalty claim
Matthew Upson
"To me because his arm was straight and pushed towards the ball but for me, it's a clear handball!"
Leon Osman
"I wasn't a big fan before the World Cup but [I am now]. Mexico has got away with one. I can't understand how that isn't a penalty. Players know when it's a handball. "
3:47pm
HALFTIME
Mexico in control but coasting while they do so, Sweden reverting to longer searching balls towards the end of the half. Mexico is way better in possession and looks like they have players capable of inflicting a killer blow - Sweden will need some sort of set piece to come off if they're going to win this.
3:45pm
45 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Still mostly Mexico. Sweden doesn't seem to be able to get out of their own half at the moment, Mexico has changed something and I can't quite figure out what that is yet. Might even simply be that they've pushed higher up the pitch.
3:42pm
42 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Lozano leaves a bit on Gronqvist while stretching to meet a cross and the game is getting a little feisty now. Tempers flaring like dinosaurs in Dennis Nedry's car.
3:41pm
40 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Mexico in control of the game at the moment.
3:39pm
38 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Good effort from Vela but just for a change, he puts the ball wildly over the bar. I wonder whether this ball is particularly light because so many players have been doing exactly that.
3:36pm
35 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
It's still fairly even here. Both teams attacking well, both defending somewhat nervously. Emil Forsberg needs to work on his shooting - this volleyed effort was sent into the sky rather than at goal.
3:33pm
32 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
SO CLOSE SWEDEN! From the corner that follows that controversy, Sweden throw players at the ball but it ends up just wide! Berg gets the final touch.
3:31pm
31 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
"Is that clear and obvious for me? No, I don't think so" says Neville. The referee says no penalty. Controversial! The commentators are now slagging off VAR and my god it's doing my head in. The ball came off his arm, Sweden reacted, Hernandez controlled with his arm and for some reason, that's 'not clear and obvious'. Give me strength Phil Neville. Please. PLEASE
3:29pm
29 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
HANDBALL! That must be a handball! A cross bounces off the floor and hits Chicharito in the arm! VAR is reviewing it - this might be a penalty! Neville doesn't think this is a penalty but it definitely hits his arm for me.
3:26pm
27 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Larsson is booked for a high foot, catching Hernandez. Both were doing the same thing so that seems a wee bit harsh and that yellow means Larsson will miss the next game, should Sweden qualify.
3:25pm
25 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
CREDIT: REUTERS
It's calmed down ever so slightly for a spell... and as I type that Sweden go close with a cross from the left and Ochoa tries to start a counter with a massive kick out of his hands.
3:21pm
22 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
This has been an excellent game so far. Both teams really intent on attacking and scoring, neither happy to sit back and defend. Mexico is great going forward too, especially if you enjoy watching players dribble past others. I know I do.
Mexico wins a corner.
3:19pm
20 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Sweden goes close now. Forsberg runs in from the left to meet a cross in the center of the box but gets underneath it and sends the shot over the bar. If that was on target it was a certain goal!
3:17pm
18 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
BIG CHANCE FOR MEXICO! They break out of nowhere, a defender carrying the ball past two tackles and suddenly Sweden is in trouble! Sweden wins a tackle, the ball bobbles lose and Vela takes it on, trying a shot from 20 yards which are inches away from tucking inside the post.
Great curling effort
3:15pm
16 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
"He was a brilliant super-sub at Manchester United, I wouldn't say bringing people into play is his specialty. He really does look inspired in this World Cup."
So says Mr. Neville about Hernandez, who he coached for a brief spell.
3:13pm
14 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
CREDIT: AP
Phil Neville reckons you can see more intensity in Sweden's play than Mexico. It's been a lively opening period.
3:12pm
12 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Toivonen does well to win a corner for Sweden. They're being way more adventurous than they have in any other game so far and it's given Mexico the fear!
The corner is sent in, headed on and BERG TRIES THE OVERHEAD KICK! Just wide! Great play and he's so unlucky that's just outside the post.
3:09pm
10 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
Mexico gets the ball into Sweden's half for the first time and works it around the left-hand side towards Lozano. Sweden is organized and block the move.
Sweden is shifting from side to side to deny space but Mexico is quick to pass and move... and Layun tries an ambitious shot which goes harmlessly wide.
3:06pm
7 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
It's dead close to the Toni Kroos free-kick against Sweden and they seem to have learned from it!
The ball is fired at pace towards the goalkeeper at the near post and Ochoa has to push it away! There's a bit of a rammy, someone goes down in the area but it's not a penalty and Mexico get it away! Great start from Sweden
3:05pm
5 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
This is big... Ochoa comes off his line and handles the ball outside the box. Except he doesn't. The referee thinks that's a free-kick even though it definitely isn't and Sweden have a great chance to get the ball into the box from the wide left, just on the line of the area.
3:02pm
2 mins - Mexico 0 Sweden 0
There's a yellow card within 15 seconds as Gallardo goes through the back of Toivonen while jumping for a header. That's... early.
The ball is hit into the area and knocked back across and this is a massive chance early on! Mexico gets it away and a slice of fortune helps them do that!
3:00pm
KICK OFF
Sweden gets the game underway.
2:55pm
National anthems
Mexico leads a passionate rendition of their national anthem and it's nice and loud.
Sweden's is a bit more legato than Mexico's punchy number and you can't really hear anyone singing in the crowd. Mexicans outnumber them here.
That could also be because the TV producers haven't mixed the sound well, or have the mics all at the Mexican end.
2:44pm
What a lovely day
CREDIT: AP
It's a lovely day here in the.. studio. Jessica Ennis. Good night. But what stadium are we actually in?
That's right, it's the one where you can sit outside. See that weird drawbridge type bit in the lower left of the photo? It's a stand that sits outside the actual stadium.
2:27pm
Why
CREDIT: FIFA
2:17pm
You are the VAR
Speaking VAR controversy, how do you think you'd get on if you were in charge?
And welcome to our live blog for Mexico vs Sweden! A point will be enough for Mexico today and would be for Sweden too if South Korea beat Germany... but that won't happen (will it?). Normally a horribly defensive team, we might actually see Sweden open up a little this afternoon and try to take the game to Mexico, who will more than likely sit back and wait to counter-attack them. I predict a tentative, fairly dull game.
That doesn't mean it won't be worth watching, of course! Mexico will want to keep up their momentum going into the knock-out stages and have been exciting in wins over Germany and South Korea. Sweden will be a big test, mostly because they're better at defending than South Korea are and have a similar approach to matches.
Group F
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
1
Sweden
3
2
0
1
3
6
2
Mexico
3
2
0
1
-1
6
3
Korea Republic
3
1
0
2
0
3
4
Germany
3
1
0
2
-2
3
Mexico can press high up the pitch and disrupt Sweden's buildup play, forcing them long from the back and conceding possession far too readily. Both managers will have a plan but quite who will win isn't clear. I predict... a draw! And Germany's safe passage to the next round in Mexico's slipstream.
Sweden's coaching staff got a little heated at the end of their last-gasp defeat. Can we expect more fireworks at the end of this one? Probably, if VAR is involved!
There were some controversial decisions made yesterday and the day before using VAR, particularly around the interpretation of what a handball is. Though meant to be a foul if a deliberate act, it hardly seems fair to penalize someone for having the ball headed off their arm at close range. Then again, perhaps it denied Iran the chance to score.
Team news should be with us for this one very soon but expect Mexico to be a 4-3-3 and Sweden a very defensive 4-4-2. A slow start by Sweden, a fast one by Mexico, few goals and then the pressure will build as we go. Will Mexico rest players? Or opt to keep the freight train of winning (not a real train) on the tracks? Soon we will know!
A throw-in is hurled in, knocked-on and oh son, that is just horrendous. He misses the clearance, the ball deflects off his standing leg and rolls into the bottom corner. That is an awful thing to happen.
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