BSP-13,14 Germany crash out of World Cup at group stage in seismic shock

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Germany crash out of World Cup at group stage in seismic shock

KAZAN, Russia, June 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Holders Germany sensationally
crashed out of the World Cup on Wednesday in one of the biggest shocks in the
tournament’s history — failing to make it past the opening round for the
first time since 1938.

In a stunning reverse by the footballing superpower who have reached
either the final or semi-finals of every World Cup since 2002, the Germans
stumbled to a 2-0 loss to South Korea that left them rooted to the bottom of
Group F.

Germany went into the game knowing that a win by two clear goals would
have seen them into the last 16. But instead it was Sweden and Mexico who
advanced after the Swedes romped to a 3-0 win over the Mexicans in
Yekaterinburg.

“The disappointment of us being eliminated is just huge,” said Germany
coach Joachim Loew, who is now under pressure to quit despite signing a
contract extension until 2022 last month.

“It’s too soon for me to answer, it will take a few hours to see things
clearly, the disappointment is very deep in me,” the 58-year said when asked
if he would resign.

“It is a really, really bitter evening for us,” defender Mats Hummels
added. “The situation is very difficult to put into words.”

“We had plenty of opportunities, we broke our necks trying out there
today,” he added.

Germany qualified for Russia with a perfect record of 10 wins, but Hummels
said the team had not played well since they wrapped up qualification late
last year.

Hummels said the warning signs had been there after Germany lost their
opening game 1-0 to Mexico.

“We put ourselves in this situation after the Mexican game,” he admitted.
“The last game we delivered a good performance was in the autumn of 2017.”

Sweden coach Janne Andersson spoke of his immense pride after his side
topped the group with second-half goals against Mexico from Ludwig
Augustinsson, Andreas Granqvist and an own goal from Edson Alvarez to move
into a last-16 meeting with Switzerland.

“We’ve done a fantastic job today with this match,” Andersson said.

“I’m so incredibly proud, almost moved as the thought of how we performed
on the pitch, so disciplined. I think we’ve grown since our last match.”

Andersson said he refused to take any pleasure in the demise of the
Germans whom he had accused of distasteful celebrations when they beat
Sweden.

“I am not like that, it is not like that in sport. I was very angry, but
that was then and this is now.”

– Brazil ease through –

Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 to top Group E and cruise through to a last-16
meeting with Mexico.

MORE/MSY/1010 hrs

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Philippe Coutinho’s sublime pass was converted by Paulinho in the 35th
minute and Thiago Silva powered in a second-half header at the Spartak
Stadium in Moscow.

The Brazilians had to soak up spells of intense pressure from Serbia but
finish unbeaten in the group stage.

After failing to fire in their opening match in Russia, a 1-1 draw against
Switzerland, Brazil appear to be finding their normal fluency with each match
as they go in search of a sixth World Cup. The Mexicans will need to regroup
fast before facing them in Samara on Monday.

With Germany out, Brazil coach Tite was confident his team could cope with
being the new favourites.

“We can take the pressure, we are a balanced team and for us, this is
about getting stronger and growing,” the Brazil boss said.

Mladen Krstajic’s talented Serbia team will always wonder what might have
been. They will inevitably point to the disallowed penalty in the highly-
charged 2-1 defeat to Switzerland when Aleksandar Mitrovic was wrestled to
the ground as the point when their World Cup went awry.

Switzerland joined Brazil in the second round as runners-up after they
drew 2-2 with Costa Rica in Nizhny Novogrod.

The Swiss will face the Swedes in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday but must do
so without captain Stephan Lichtsteiner who will be suspended after picking
up a yellow card.

A 93rd minute own goal by the unfortunate Yann Sommer from a Bryan Ruiz
penalty gave the central American side a deserved 2-2 draw on a night of late
drama.

Switzerland’s earlier lead lasted just two minutes after substitute Josep
Drmic slotted home to seemingly give them three points.

Earlier Blerim Dzemaili had thumped home to give Switzerland the lead
against the run of play against the team which finished bottom of Group E.

That goal was cancelled out by Kendall Waston’s header in the 56th minute,
the central Americans’ first goal of the tournament.

BSS/AFP/MSY/1010 hrs