Russia Wrap: Champions Germany bow out of FIFA World Cup™

On a dramatic day at the FIFA World Cup™, defending champions Germany have been eliminated as Groups E and F were concluded in Russia.

In a major shock in Group F, the Germans slumped to a shock loss to Korea Republic to finish bottom of their group to become the fourth defending champion in the last five tournaments to fail to reach the knockout stage.

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In Group E, Brazil cruised past Serbia to claim top spot, while Switzerland joined them in the last 16.

It means the next two Round of 16 fixtures have been decided:

1. Brazil v Mexico, Tuesday, 3 July 12AM (AEST), Samara Arena

2. Sweden v Switzerland, Wednesday, 4 July 12AM (AEST), Krestovsky Stadium

Here’s a wrap of all the overnight action in the FIFA World Cup™.

GROUP F

Holders Germany sensationally crashed out of the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1938 after losing 2-0 to Korea Republic in Kazan.

Despite firing off 16 attempts at goal, the Germans were unable to break down Korea’s stubborn resistance, eventually made to pay in stoppage-time at the end of the match with goals to Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min.

It’s the third FIFA World Cup™ in a row the defending champion has been eliminated, with the future of German coach Joachim Low to come under scrutiny, despite signing a new four-year deal last month.

"It's hard to say just now, it takes a couple of hours to look into that,” said Low when asked about his future as boss.

"I'm shocked because we didn't manage to pull it off, to beat Korea, we lost. How we go on from here, we want to talk about it calmly, it'd be premature to say something now.

"It'll take a few hours for me to come to terms with it. I'm incredibly disappointed and we will talk about it calmly."

German players react after a missed chance.
German players react after a missed chance.

Despite a slow start, Germany eventually took control of the match and created chance after chance but were consistently denied by young Korea keeper Cho Hyun-woo.

With Sweden in control of the other match, the Germans knew they needed to find a winner and were eventually made to pay for their profligacy three minutes into injury time.

Son's corner reached Kim at the far post and the offside decision that followed the defender burying the ball in the net was overruled by a VAR decision.

Three minutes later the result was confirmed as substitute Ju Se-jong hit a long ball forward to Son, who was able to run in behind with keeper Manuel Neuer in Korea’s half and rub salt in Germany's wounds with the easiest of finishes.

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In the other encounter, Sweden secured top spot with a thumping 3-0 win over Mexico in Ekaterinburg.

Knowing they needed a win to advance, Sweden produced a relentless attacking display and were rewarded on the scoreboard in the second-half.

Ludwig Augustinsson volleyed a deserved opener through the Mexico goalkeeper five minutes after the break, before skipper Andreas Granqvist rifled home from the penalty spot 12 minutes later.

The result was safe with 16 minutes left as Edson Alvarez inadvertently sent the ball into his own net.

In the end the result mattered little as both nations advanced to the last 16.

 GROUP E

Brazil finished top of Group E after a comfortable 2-0 win over Serbia, scoring once in each half to eliminate the Europeans in Moscow.

The Selecao got the breakthrough 10 minutes before the break as Paulinho made a great run from deep and was found by a magnificent pass from Philippe Coutinho, to stab the ball past the keeper.

Just as Serbia began pushing for an equaliser to try and keep their own hopes alive, Brazil doubled their lead through skipper Thiago Silva.

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The PSG defender capitalised on shoddy marking from Nemanja Matic, heading home at the near post from Neymar's left-wing corner.

In the group’s other fixture, Switzerland joined Brazil in the last 16 despite being held to a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica.

The Swiss led twice but were pegged back on both occasions by the Central Americans, who dominated the contest for large periods.

Blerim Dzemaili gave Switzerland the lead before half-time but Costa Rica got a deserved equaliser soon after the interval through Kendall Waston.

There was then late drama as Switzerland substitute Josip Drmic thought he had secured all three points with a cool 88th-minute finish before Bryan Ruiz's penalty cannoned off Yann Sommer for an unfortunate own goal to ensure a share of the spoils.

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