Two of the favoured teams fought to stave off elimination from the 2018 Men’s World Cup on WED 27 JUN 2018, but teams on their way out still had much to say about the outcome.

• Mexico 00-03 Sweden: Needing a draw to make sure of advancement, Mexico tumbled to defeat against Sweden. Ludwig AUGUSTINSSON opened the scoring in the 50th minute, followed by a penalty by Andreas GRANQVIST and an own goal by Edson ÁLVAREZ. Sweden took top spot in Group F, with El Tri left to watch the events unfold in Kazan...
• Korea Rep 02-00 Germany: ...where a win would put Germany through at Mexico’s expense. However, Korea Rep took the lead in the 90th minute, following a video review that concluded that KIM Young Gwon’s goal was valid because the ball did not touch a teammate after he strayed into an offside position. With Germany’s entire eleven pressing forward desperately, SON Heung Min tapped into the empty net on a counterattack. Mexico survive whilst the title holders tumble to last place in Group F; despite enjoying 70% of the possession, twenty of their 26 shot attempts missed the target.
• Serbia 00-02 Brazil: Brazil made sure of top spot in Group E with their victory. PAULINHO finished a lobbed pass from Philippe COUTINHO in the 36th minute, and Thiago SILVA added a second on a header in the 68th.
• Switzerland 02-02 Costa Rica: The Ticos refused to exit the tournament without a fight, pressing forward from the start and forcing several important saves from Swiss keeper Yann SOMMER. Blerim DŽEMAILI put Switzerland ahead in the 31st minute, with a header by Kendall WASTON equalising for Costa Rica early in the second half. Josip DRMIĆ put the Swiss back in front in the 88th, but a penalty was awarded at the other end in stoppage time. Bryan RUIZ’s spot kick struck the crossbar and rebounded off the back of Sommer’s head and skipped into the net. Nonetheless, the draw sufficed to advance Switzerland as the second placed team in Group E.
• Round of 16 matchups: Brazil-Mexico, Sweden-Switzerland