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2018 FIFA World Cup Group F Match 3 Recap

By Alex Zatarain
AFP JEWEL SAMAD

Group F of the 2018 FIFA World Cup saw all four teams still alive in the final group stage match. Mexico, who were at the top of the group, needed a draw of victory and they would be in. Sweden needed a win or their tournament would be over. Germany, with a win, would be in. South Korea had the toughest task, needing to beat Germany and have Mexico defeat Sweden.

Mexico  v Sweden 

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Mexico and Sweden met in a match where both teams needed a result. El Tri would be into the knockout rounds with a draw, while Sweden needed a win. A loss for Mexico would end up with relying on Korea holding onto a draw or better against Germany. Sweden would be out with anything worse than a victory.

First Half

Things were rough for Mexico in the get-go, as Jesus Gallardo was shown yellow in the opening seconds. Shortly after, Guillermo Ochoa was called for a handball outside of the box. After replay, it was clear the ball was in the box but Sweden was awarded the free kick.

Sweden came close to striking first after a corner from Ludwig Augustinsson in the 12th minute. The cross found the head of Andreas Granqvist and fell to Marcus Berg, who was falling with his back towards goal. Berg attempted to use an overhead kick as he fell back but couldn’t get it cleanly.

In the 17th minute, Javier Hernandez stole a ball from Sweden’s defense and fed it to Carlos Vela, whose shot went just wide of goal.

Mexico caught an incredible break, as Hernandez was seen with the ball hitting his arm in the box. After consulting VAR, the call was not given to Sweden. Hence, leaving the game scoreless after 29 minutes.

The half ended with a counter from Berg, who was fed the ball and took on a Mexican defender as he made a run to the left of goal. His shot ended up in the side-netting, putting a scare on Mexico.

Second Half

Mexico controlled possession in the first half and had nothing to show for it. The first three or four minutes seemed as if the theme would continue. Sweden then came out swinging.

A cross from the left side was popped up by Sweden’s Viktor Claesson. Augustinsson waited patiently to the left of goal and put a first-touch shot on goal, getting it past Ochoa in the 50th minute for the first goal of the match.

Since, Emil Forsberg and Augustinsson put two shots just high in the next four minutes, keeping the pressure on the Mexican defense.

In the 60th minute Berg was taken down in the box by Hector Moreno, giving Sweden a penalty and an opportunity to double their lead. They did just that, as Granqvist converted the PK to take a 2-0 lead.

Hernandez was given a great opportunity to get Mexico back into the match with a head off of a Marco Fabian free kick. The ball was sent high and wide.

The dagger when a ball thrown in from the sideline took a bounce from a Swedish player and then rebounded off of Edson Alvarez for the own goal. It would then be 3-0 in the 74th minute and essentially seeing Sweden into the World Cup knockout rounds.

With the victory, Sweden was now into the knockout rounds. Mexico, however, needed to wait and watch the outcome of the South Korea and Germany match, which was put on the video board in the stadium. Again, Mexico needed South Korea to win or draw against Germany. When the final whistle was blown, Mexico tuned into a match that had just been given six minutes of added time to see if their World Cup would continue.

South Korea  v Germany 

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South Korea and Germany both had their hopes alive coming into this match. South Korea had the most complicated path in Group F, needing a two goal victory over Germany and Mexico beating Sweden. Germany needed a win to get through, which many anticipated as they went up against what would be considered a weaker Asian side.

First Half

The first half showed complete control by Germany, as did 99% of the match (spoiler).

Marco Reus let off the first shot of the match in the 6th minute, just missing the mark. Unfortunately for the German side, this would not be the last time this would be said throughout this match.

Manuel Neuer gave Germans a scare when he couldn’t control Jung Woo-Young shot, forcing him to push the ball out of bounds for a corner.

In the 39th minute, Mats Hummels found himself in prime position to score as he put a shot off just to the left of the six-yard box. It would only end up being saved by Jo Hyeon-Woo.

Germany looked promising but just couldn’t find the back of the net. Going into the break, one would assume they would make the necessary adjustments to take the game in the second half.

Second Half

Like in the prior 45 minutes of play, Germany had complete control. This time, as time began to wind down, there was a sense of desperation.

Jung Woo-Young had the first strike of the second half, forcing Neuer to make the save. It would be one of the rare scoring chances Korea would have as Germany held the ball 70% of the time and it looked as if the Asian-side would not make runs unless they knew they had numbers.

Things began to unfold in the 78th minute as  Julian Brandt came on for Jonas Hector. Brandt has been a key game-changer for the German side late in games, creating scoring opportunities. With the game still scoreless, Germany needed someone of his ability to open things up.

In the 87th minute, Germany missed what would be their final open chance to take the lead. Mesut Ozil sent in a perfect cross to the middle of the box. Mats Hummels, unmarked, was there for the header. Yet, with the perfect chance at goal, Hummels missed. He had the ball bounce off his shoulder, sending the ball well over the crossbar.

At this time, Mexico, who after losing to Sweden needed South Korea to hold on, began to watch this match on the video board. The officials added six minutes of added time.

What Would Decide Group F’s Fate

This is where the shocker began to bloom.

A corner from Son Heung-Min went low and somehow made its way through to Kim Young-Gwon, who sent it home in the 92nd minute. It was initially called offside. Consequently, VAR overturned the call to give South Korea a 1-0 lead.

Being down and needing the victory to keep their World Cup, set pieces for the German offense would see Neuer trying to become an extra attacker.

That is how Korea was able to put the game away and send Germany, the defending champions, packing.

Finally, a huge clearance found Son Heung-Min all alone, allowing him to finish the job with ease.

With the results, Korea and Germany were officially sent packing from the World Cup. Sweden’s victory netted them the top spot in Group F, while Mexico, who had their World Cup come near to closing, will take on the winner of Group E.

In conclusion, Sweden will take on the runner-up from Group E, while Mexico will take on the winner from Group E.

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