WORLD CUP Wednesday’s games

SOUTH KOREA 2, GERMANY 0

Germany eliminated in stoppage time

KAZAN, Russia

Germany is out of the World Cup, the fourth defending champion in the last five tournaments to be eliminated in the group stage.

The four-time champions allowed a pair of injury-time goals while knowing a 1-0 victory would have been enough to advance because of the result in the other group match.

Kim Young-gwon scored the first goal in the third minute of injury time.

Son Heung-min made it 2-0 in the sixth minute of injury time after Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer came up the field to help his teammates outside the South Korea box. Son tapped the ball into an empty net after a long pass from Ju Se-jong.

SWEDEN 3, MEXICO 0

Swedes ensure knockout round bid

YEKATERINBURG, Russia

Sweden dominated Mexico to move on to the World Cup knockout round, and thanks to South Korea, Mexico also advances. Ludwig Augustinsson volleyed a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa from close range five minutes into the second half, and captain Andreas Granqvist converted a penalty kick to help Sweden take control Wednesday and win Group F.

Despite the loss, Mexico also advances as runner-up in the group thanks to South Korea’s surprising 2-0 over defending champion Germany. Mexico has been to the round of 16 for seven straight World Cups.

BRAZIL 2, SERBIA 0

Brazil wins group with a shutout

MOSCOW

Worried no more, Brazil is through at the World Cup. Paulinho and Thiago Silva scored a goal each Wednesday to give the five-time champions a 2-0 victory over Serbia and first place in their group.

Brazil struggled in its opening two matches, first held to a 1-1 draw and then needing late goals to win the other. But they controlled this one.

Paulinho gave his team the lead when he met a lofted ball from Philippe Coutinho in the 36th minute. The defensive midfielder let the ball bounce in front of him near the penalty spot and kicked his right leg in the air to tap it over the goalkeeper’s fingertips.

SWITZERLAND 2, COSTA RICA 2

Swiss advance after blowing lead

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia

Switzerland has qualified for the round of 16 at the World Cup despite twice losing the lead in a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica, which had already been eliminated.

Costa Rica scored from Bryan Ruiz penalty kick in stoppage time to tie the match on Wednesday night, but it didn’t affect Switzerland’s progression as the second-place team in Group E.

Bjerim Dzemaili slammed in Switzerland’s first goal from close range after being set up by a header from Breel Embolo.

Costa Rica got its first goal in Russia when defender Kendall Waston headed in a corner early in the second to equalize.

Associated Press