FIFA World Cup 2018 Group F
World Champions Germany were eliminated from Euro 2016 at the semi-final stage but still started this competition as favourites. Recent results had been disappointing as Joachim Low experimented with his squad but confidence remained high. Mexico comfortably won the CONCACEF qualifiers. Sweden were making their first appearance for 12 years and had seen off the Netherlands and Italy on their way to Russia. South Korea were competing in their ninth consecutive finals.
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Germany
Mexico
Germany 0 Mexico 1
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
17 June
Germany's bid to win back-to-back World Cups got off to a disastrous start against a lively Mexican team who took the game to their opponents from the kick-off. The Germans looked uncharacteristically fragile in defence in the first half and it was no surprise when Lozano put Mexico ahead ten minutes before half-time. In the second half Germany pressed but looked vulnerable to Mexico's quick counter-attacks. The victory was greeted by a huge, colourful and noisy Mexican contingent in the stadium while fan's celebrations at home were so enthusiastic they set off earthquake alarms in Mexico City. Twice.
(André Conceição e Silva)
Sweden
Korea Republic
Sweden 1 Korea Republic 0
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
18 June
A scrappy game was settled by a VAR assisted penalty twenty minutes into the second half. Korea were disappointing and managed just one decent chance in the closing minutes.
(Joel Song, Jouko Saarinen)
Korea Republic
Mexico
Korea Republic 1 Mexico 2
Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
23 June
Having upset the world champions in their opener, Mexico confirmed their credentials, dominating a lacklustre Korean team while showing an ability to counter-attack effectively when needed. South Korea's consolation came in the third minute of injury-time.
(Joel Song, Jouko Saarinen)
Germany
Sweden
Germany 2 Sweden 1
Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
23 June
Trailing 1-0 at half-time, Germany were facing elimination but, as is typical of German teams, they refused to lie down. Reus equalised three minutes into the second half but things looked bleak when Boateng was given his marching orders with eight minutes left. With five minutes of added time played, Toni Kroos tapped a short free-kick on the left hand side of the penalty area to Reus before sweeping the return pass into the opposite top corner of the goal.
Korea Republic
Germany
Korea Republic 2 Germany 0
Kazan Arena, Kazan
27 June
The defending champions were eliminated in one of the greatest shocks in the history of the tournament. They had attracted criticism for poor performances but hopes were high that they would improve. They dominated posession and had plenty of efforts on goal but were ponderous and lacking in imagination. In the final moments the game took an astonishing turn. Kim Young-gwon had the ball in the German net but was judged offside before a VAR review revealed that he had been played on by a German defender so the goal stood. Then, deep in injury time the German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, who had joined the final desparate attack, lost possession deep in the Korean half. Ju Se-jong launched the ball forward, Son Heung-min raced onto it and tapped into the net unopposed.
(Joel Song, Jouko Saarinen)
Mexico
Sweden
Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Central Stadium, Yekatarinburg
27 June
Before kick-off any two of the four teams in the group could qualify for the next round. Mexico were undone in the second half by a quick counter-attack, a penalty and a very unfortunate own-goal. The result in Kazan meant that Sweden topped the group while Mexico finished in second place.
