EKATERINBURG, Russia – Mexico is through to the knockout stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup despite a 3-0 defeat to Sweden in its Group E finale on Wednesday evening at the Ekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia
With South Korea defeating reigning world champions Germany 2-0, Mexico advance as the second-place team in the group with a record of 2W-0D-1L, 3GF, 4GC.
The Mexico attack was just as dangerous as in its first two matches but lacked the finishing product in what was a frustrating 90 minutes for Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s side.
FW Carlos Vela has the two best looks at goal in the first half in the 17’ and 39’ but each time his left-footed shot missed wide.
Sweden proved a tough foe and the European side took a 1-0 lead in the 50’ when Ludwig Augustinsson collected a pass on the left and fired in a shot past Mexico GK Guillermo Ochoa.
Mexico looked to respond but the counterattack of the Swedes was troubling the Mexico defense and a Hector Moreno foul on Marcus Berg in the area earned Sweden a penalty kick. Andreas Granqvist stepped up and converted the spot kick to give Sweden a 2-0 lead in the 62’.
El Tricolor’s task got even tougher in the 74’ as a ball deflected off of Mexico DF Edson Alvarez and bounced past Ochoa into goal to hand Sweden a 3-0 advantage.
Mexico never threw in the towel though and came achingly close to chipping into the Sweden lead in the final 10 minutes, but Vela’s header right in front of goal went wide.
Nevertheless, El Tricolor marches on to play in the knockout stage for the eighth consecutive time and will face the winner of Group F in the Round of 16.
