World Cup - Matchday 14

Welcome to another WhoReps look at the 2018 World Cup. Today we'll be recapping Wednesday's slate of matches and looking ahead to tomorrow's action! Enjoy.
                                            
A lot of things have happened in the last 80 years. The computer. Nuclear energy. The internet. The Space Shuttle. Pop Tarts. All things of equivalent importance. But what hadn't happened? Germany getting knocked out of the group stage at the World Cup. First time for everything.
 
The Germans looked poor and disjointed all day long, as they have for much of the tournament. Needing a win to escape elimination, they were locked 0-0 in extra time with South Korea. One goal could still change everything. And boy, did it. In the 93rd minute, Kim Young-gwon suddenly found the ball at his feet after a corner into the box, just keeper Manuel Neuer to beat. He took the shot. South Korea 1, Germany 0. The Germans are going home at the group stage for the first time since 1938. A second goal, this time from Son Heung-min in the impossibly late 96th minute, added insult to injury. For the third straight World Cup, following 2010 Italy and 2014 Spain, the defending champions fail to reach the knockout rounds. Auf Wiedersehen!

South Korea's shocking win really let Mexico off the hook, who were busy getting dominated 3-0 by Sweden at the same time. Had Germany been able to pull it out, Mexico would've been on the outs despite two group stage wins. El Tri managed plenty of possession, but they never really were able to put sustained pressure on the Swedish defense. Left back Ludwig Augustinsson opened the scoring for the Swedes in the second half when he was left unmarked in the box. A few minutes later, captain Andreas Grandqvist doubled the lead with a calm penalty strike. A few minutes after that, an own goal by Mexican defender Edson Alvarez provided the final score line. After starting the day in third place, Sweden tops the group. Mexico finishes second.

In the evening slate, things mostly held according to form. Brazil handled Serbia 2-0 with an ease that should scare anyone who stands in their way on the path to the Cup. Paulinho lofted home a first half goal after a beautiful long pass from Philippe Coutinho — who was brilliant once again. Then, Thiago Silva punched in a late header after a corner from the effortless Neymar, just the longtime defender's sixth goal wearing a Brazilian shirt. Serbia had a chance to advance with a win and some help, but were left wanting. The fewer European teams in the knockout rounds the better, anyway. Brazil wins their World Cup group for an incredible 10th straight time, dating back to 1982.
 
That left Switzerland & Costa Rica to finish out today's action. The eliminated Costa Ricans came into the match still seeking their first goal, the only nation without one in this World Cup. Finally, after 236 minutes of total action, Kendall Watson struck in a ferocious second half header that tied the game and set off raucous celebrations from the stadium to San Jose. Switzerland merely needed a draw, and a draw they got. But it's a performance that won't see them through in the knockout stages. Particularly with captain Stephan Lichtsteiner picking up his second yellow card, meaning he will miss their match in the Round of 16. But it sure beats heading home.

In the knockout round, its Sweden against Switzerland and Brazil versus Mexico. Stay tuned to WhoReps' as we recap it all!