Sweden thrash Mexico but both countries reach World Cup last 16
Mexico survivied despite defeat due to Germany's loss against South Korea
Sweden bounced back from their last-minute loss to Germany by thumping Mexico 3-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup.
Ludwig Augustinsson, Andreas Granqvist and an Edson Alvarez own goal sealed the win for Sweden but there was good news for Mexico, too.
They will be in the last 16 with the Scandinavian nation due to Germany’s failure to beat South Korea.
If Germany had won, they would have finished on six points, like Sweden and Mexico, and it could have come down to goal difference or even fair play to decide which two teams progressed.
It didn’t come to that in the but there were some nervy moments for Mexico fans as they waited for news from Germany’s game, which was goalless going into added time.
Two stoppage time goals from South Korea, though, were celebrated as much by Mexicans at the Ekaterinburg Arena as they were by Koreans in Kazan.
Augustinsson opened the scoring for Sweden in the 50th minute, firing home from six yards after Mexico failed to deal with a ball into the box.
Granqvist added the second 10 minutes later after Hector Moreno had given a penalty away.
The scoring was completed when Alvarez put through his own net, with Carlos Vela missing a late chance to grab a consolation for the Mexicans.
