Mexico vs Sweden: Live blog, text commentary, line-ups, stream and TV channel

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Mexico vs Sweden: Live blog, text commentary, line-ups, stream and TV channel image

It's a shared outpouring of celebration all around the Central Stadium as Sweden and Mexico come together in rapture. They are both through to the last 16 of the World Cup in the most dramatic of finales across Group F. They won't know who they play until later; two of Switzerland, Brazil and Serbia will be their opposition. But what a story. What a game. What a World Cup! Until then, thank you for joining us - and have a good week!

It's jubilation for Sweden as they serve up a comprehensive win to secure their place in the round of 16 - and joy for Mexico too! They also progress as South Korea defeat world champions Germany to knock them out and send El Tri through! Full-time in Ekaterinburg; Mexico 0-3 Sweden!

FULL-TIME: MEXICO 0-3 SWEDEN


90' + 2 mins: Save by Olsen from Lozano! But suddenly the Mexican fans erupt; South Korea have scored against Germany! Mexico are through unless Die Mannschaft can find two goals!

90 mins: Mexico win a corner as Toivonen heads it away but Swden clear that through Lindelof. Four added minutes incoming.

89 mins: Layun is replaced by Oribe Peralta as the sides wait to take the set-piece.

88 mins: Now Lustig is shown a yellow card as he checks Lozano on the left edge of the Sweden box with a reckless challenge. Free-kick to Mexico on the edge of the opposition box.

85 mins: If Mexico do bow out of the World Cup here today, they will be only the third team to miss out on progressing from the group stages with two opening wins. They have not done themselves proud though at the Central Stadium; Sweden have truly delivered the goods.

84 mins: If Mexico do bow out of the World Cup here today, they will be only the third team to miss out on progressing from the group stages with two opening wins. They have not done themselves proud though at the Central Stadium; Sweden have truly delivered the goods.

82 mins: Vela and Hernandez! One of them should have found the mark for Mexico there as they miss plum headers. They need to pull one back; such a goal would keep Germany at bay if they were to find a late winner against South Korea.

80 mins: Ekdal makes way for Oscar Hiljemark now as Sweden look to close out any chance of a late score in this game.

79 mins: This has been a wonderful performance from Sweden as Thelin almost links up with Claesson to put the latter into the Mexico box. He can't make the touch and Ochoa cuts out of his six-yard area to collect. 

77 mins: Mexico are flagged offside as they try to desperately make something stick, with Hernandez the man caught by the linesman seeking a Salcedo throughball.

75 mins: Guardado has played his part now too and Jesus Manuel Corona replaces him for Mexico.

74 mins: 3-0 TO SWEDEN! It's a terrible own goal from Alvarez as he misses an attempted clearance and puts the ball into the back of his own net for an own goal. Mexico have been their own worst enemy in this second half; their hopes are hanging by a thread.

72 mins:  It's been a great tournament for Granqvist; the Swedish captain is the first defender to score two penalties in a single World Cup since Fernando Hierro for Spain in 2002.

70 mins:  Mexico win themselves a free-kick deep on their right wing, in line with the Sweden box, which is turned in smartly for Hernandez who can't quite push it under the crossbar. 

68 mins:  Sweden make a change too now with Isaac Thelin replacing Berg.

67 mins:  Fabian wastes no time too! He launches a blinder of a shot from distance, 25 yards out on the right, and it tickles the roof of the netting as it flies over. Better intent from Mexico after 10 minutes spent at sea.

65 mins:  ...indeed, Gallardo makes way for Marco Fabian as El Tri look to salvage their World Cup campaign.

64 mins:  Unless Mexico can find two goals in the next half-hour or so, their fate rests on Germany failing to find a win against South Korea. They look like they will make a change to introduce some fresh legs though...

Marcus Berg Sweden Hector Moreno Mexico World Cup 2018

62 mins:  GRANQVIST MAKES IT 2-0 FOR SWEDEN! The captain steps up to take the penalty and, with little fanfare, blasts it into the top left corner. On the touchline, Jan Olof Andersson makes a small fist-pump. The Swedes are heading to the top of Group F as it stands.

61 mins:  But there is one now! Moreno bowls over Berg in the box and the referee points straight to the spot! The defender can't believe it but there's no need for VAR; the referee books him too for that clumsy tackle.

59 mins:  Berg puts a header in on Ochoa at the left edge of the Mexican box following a cross and goes down though no penalty is awarded.

57 mins: A nasty looking injury for Larsson spells the end of his game and he is helped from the field to be replaced by Gustav Svensson.

55 mins: As it stands, Mexico are still through, with South Korea and Germany locked at 0-0 - but all it would take is one goal for Die Mannschaft and they would be in serious trouble.

54 mins:  Augustinsson almost gets his second! The left-back cuts down the wing, steps inside two defenders and loops a shot just over the top-right corner. Mexico are looking shaken at the back.

52 mins:  It's almost two for Sweden in as many minutes! Toivonen blasts an effort towards goal from 22 yards out in the middle and sees a wicked deflection steer his shot away from danger.

50 mins:  Claesson's pass was inch-perfect to his fellow man who had gone unnoticed by the defence, with their focus instead directed on Berg and Forsberg.

Ludwig Augustinsson Sweden World Cup

50 mins: AUGUSTINSSON SCORES! SWEDEN LEAD 1-0! The left-back, unmarked 10 yards inside the Mexico box, catches Claesson's looped cross over the defence with a left-footed volley and puts it into the right corner despite Ochoa getting a hand to it. Sweden have the breakthrough!

49 mins:  Mexico win themselves a corner and whip it in only for Lindelof to head away. Salcedo tries to tip a cross back in for Vela to deliver the follow-up but Lustig is the man to clear this time.

48 mins:  There were 19 shots in the first half of this match, the most in the first half of any match at the 2018 World Cup to be 0-0 at half-time.

46 mins:  We're back underway in Ekaterinburg with the scores locked; will either be able to break the deadlock and secure their passage to the round of 16? As it stands, a goalless draw is doing the business for Mexico but not Sweden.


There's been no weak link for either side but both coaches may be thinking about an early change to try and swing momentum in their direction. Carlos Vela has missed a trio of brilliant chances for Mexico; if unable to find the mark soon, he may see himself removed from the action.

Carlos Vela Albin Ekdal Sweden Mexico World Cup 2018

It's all square at the break at Central Stadium with no goals to speak of - but it has been far from a dull encounter between Mexico and Sweden. The main talking point will be referee Nestor Pitana's decision to not award a penalty to Sweden following a VAR check for a Javier Hernandez handball, which left manager Jan Olof Andersson incensed. There's a sense that goals are coming though; the two sides ahve mustered 19 shots between them. At half-time though, it's scoreless; Mexico 0-0 Sweden.

HALF-TIME: MEXICO 0-0 SWEDEN


45+2 mins:  Berg hits the side netting on the break! It's close but still no luck for either side at finding the back of the net.

45 mins: Layun goes for a solo strike and sees his shot saved by Olsen with little trouble. There will be two added minutes at the Central Stadium.

42 mins:  This is a fiery end-to-end encounter so far, and very much living up to the billing. Granqvist cuts off Lozano as Gallardo blasts a square ball across the face of the Swedish goal and injures himself in the process, though his side are able to recover possession and whip it away.

40 mins:  Granqvist concedes a corner cutting off a Layun break and Mexico play it short quickly. Moreno goes down in the Swedish goal-mouth from a push off Olson as the cross is then tipped in, but an Ekdal block sees the ball away and no penalty is forthcoming.

39 mins:  Vela! The Mexican danger-man misses his mark again, blasting an effort from inside the lip of the box over the crossbar as he tries to power around the Swedish back-four.

36 mins:  Ochoa is having an excellent World Cup so far, it must be said; he has saved 16 of the 17 shots on target that he has faced this tournament.

34 mins:  Claesson blasts a square cross in from the right wing, with three of his countrymen in the Mexico box. He puts it to Forsberg in the end - and his attempted volley is put somewhere into the stands behind by some distance.

32 mins:  It's a soft set-piece in the end and Salcedo clears it with little problem. Mexico's defence has been swarmed in this game but they show no sign of cracking where it matters yet.

31 mins:  Save from Ochoa! The Mexican keeper makes a wonderful stop as, from the corner, Berg blasts a shot towards the roof of the net from close distance. Corner to Sweden.

30 mins:  No penalty! It will be a corner as the referee deems that Hernandez has not handled the ball with intent. Sweden manager Andersson is furious, bellowing at the fourth official on the touchline, whilst on the pitch, Larsson - already on a yellow card - will not let it go with referee Pitana either.

29 mins:  Have Sweden got themselves a penalty here? Referee Pitana is headed to the screen to look at a potential handball against Hernandez as the striker tried to clear a cross put into the box.

26 mins: Larsson comes in with a half-baked tackle on Lozano, sending the Mexican sprawling, and is booked. If Sweden make it through to the round of 16, he will play no part with a one-match ban now.

25 mins: Ochoa makes a superb claim to pick out an Augustinsson cross tipped in from the left and Berg misses the chance to nod in the opener.

Marcus Berg Sweden Hector Herrera Mexico World Cup

23 mins:  Hernandez can't cleanly guide his header towards the box from the set-piece, sending it flying off into open play: Guardado's follow-up strike through traffic flies wide by some margin.

22 mins:  Mexico win themselves a corner now after Granqvist heads a Vela cross out behind goal before Hernandez can reach it.

21 mins:  Now Sweden win a free-kick of their own as Alvarez brings down Forsberg. He wants to take it quickly, to catch out the Mexican defence, but referee Pitana brings him back.

20 mins:  Granqvist concedes a foul as he catches Hernandez on the head and the Sweden defender is unhappy about the decision.

18 mins:  Now Forsberg misses as, meeting a wonderful Toivonen cross, he puts his header out at the left post from close range. The chances are mounting in the opening 20 minutes in Yekaterinburg.

17 mins:  Vela! A plum chance for Mexico whistles by as the attacking midfielder sticks a wonderful throughball from Lozano wide at the left post from 16 yards out with just the keeper to beat. 

15 mins:  Forsberg just avoids a rather stern tackle from Gallardo out on the right wing but spears his shot from distance well wide on the right. The Mexico man's yellow card is the fastest in World Cup history, handed out at 15 seconds.

13 mins:  Lozano is pinged for offside - just - by the linesman as Herrera spears a cross out wide to him on the left wing, as the Mexican looks to create a chance for his side.

12 mins:  Berg! The corner looks to be drifting a shade beyond the goal but captain Granqvist lands a deft touch to push it down to his striker who can't wrap his heel around the ball, pushing it out at the left post.

11 mins:  Sweden win themselves a corner from a free-kick deep in their own half as Olsen peppers Guardado who can't control his first touch and sees it run out near the flag. Augustinsson to take.

9 mins:  Layun tries his luck from distance and spears well wide to the right from outside the box. Mexico are starting to use their pace to furrow through Sweden's midfield after that opening spent on the back foot.

7 mins:  Mexico have been under the cosh from the very first whistle, and now they look to relieve the pressure. Lozano and Hernandez hark down the left wing with a speedy counter-attack but a poor second pass goes straight to Lindelof instead, allowing Sweden to counter themselves.

5 mins:  Forsberg! It's a wonderful free-kick from the Sweden player who, from a similar angle to the Kroos goal that sunk them against Germany, forces Ochoa to make a leaping save with his effort. It comes off Berg's head at the second attempt and spills wide; Mexico get a goal-kick.

4 mins:  Handball by Ochoa! The keeper makes a massive mistake as he darts out to the right of his box to collect a ball headed for Berg and steps out of the 18-yard area with it between his gloves. It will be a free-kick on the very edge for Sweden, on their left flank.

3 mins:  Sweden come again, buoyed by their early attack and Claesson squares a lovely ball in off the right looking for Berg. It takes a deflection off Salcedo who puts himself in the way and Ochoa is able to gather it in.

2 mins:  Granqvist! Sweden almost snare an early opener as the free-kick is curled into the box and tipped down by Berg's header to his captain. The ball skips just away in the six-yard box and Moreno boots it clear from danger downfield.

1 min:  And inside 20 seconds, Jesus Gallardo is booked for a lunging foul on Toivonen. An early free-kick for Sweden out on the right wing.

1 min:  We are underway in Yekaterinburg for this final Group F clash between Mexico and Sweden!


The anthems have concluded and we're about to get underway. The referee today is Nestor Pitana of Argentina.

The teams have emerged at the Central Stadium for the national anthems.

Mexico striker Javier Hernandez has the chance to becoming his country's outright all-time leading World Cup scorer today; the West Ham striker has four across three tournaments, equal with Luis Hernandez.

Sweden’s last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Germany in their second match of the tournament was their first in the group stage of the World Cup since 1990, when they lost 2-1 to Costa Rica. They did however not qualify for France 1998, South Africa 2010 or Brazil 2014.

10 mins until KO: The pair meet for the 10th time in their history today and only the second time at the World Cup. They faced off in their opening group stage match of Sweden 1958, when the hosts won 3-0 on their way to a best-ever finish as runner-up to Brazil.

Subs: Pontus Jansson, Emil Krafth, Gustav Svensson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Isaac Thelin, Karl-Johan Johnsson, Oscar Hiljemark, Jimmy Durmaz, Marcus Rohden, Martin Olsson, Filip Helander, John Guidetti

SWEDEN (4-4-2): Robin Olsen; Mikael Lustig, Andreas Granqvist, Victor Lindelof, Ludwig Augustinsson; Albin Ekdal, Sebastian Larsson, Viktor Claesson, Emil Forsberg; Ola Toivonen, Marcus Berg

Subs: Oribe Peralta, Rafael Marquez, Giovani dos Santos, Erick Gutierrez, Jesus Manuel Corona, Raul Jimenez, Hugo Ayala, Jesus Corona, Marco Fabian, Javier Aquino, Jonathan dos Santos, Alfredo Talavera

MEXICO (4-5-1): Guillermo Ochoa; Carlos Salcedo, Hector Moreno, Edson Alvarez, Jesus Gallardo; Hirving Lozano, Andres Guardado, Miguel Layun, Hector Herrera, Carlos Vela; Javier Hernandez

20 mins until KO: Team news now and both coaches keep faith with their previous selections; Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio and Sweden coach Jan Olof Andersson name the same starting XIs as they did against South Korea and Germany respectively.

So, the permutations then: Mexico need only a point to go through to the round of 16 and such a result would also see them top Group F. If they lose to Sweden and Germany defeat South Korea by a two-goal margin, then it will be they who go through instead of Mexico. South Korea themselves still have an outside chance; they would need to defeat Germany and hope that Mexico prevail against Sweden with a two-goal margin to book an unlikely place in the next stage of the tournament.

30 mins until KO: El Tri sit at the top of the table heading into today's vital match, and can qualify with a single point from today's tie. But with both their opponents and Germany - who face winless South Korea - breathing down their neck, they cannot afford to slip up; a loss could very well spell the end of their World Cup campaign, despite two impressive opening wins.

45 mins until KO:  Hello and welcome to live text commentary of the Group F match between Mexico and Sweden at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.


Squads & Team News


Mexico XI:  Ochoa; Alvarez, Salcedo, Moreno, Gallardo; Layun, Herrera, Guardado; Vela, Hernandez, Lozano

Mexico Subs: J.   Dos Santos, Fabian, Castro, Gutierrez, Aquino, G. Dos Santos, Peralta, Jimenez, Marquez, Talavera

Sweden XI:  Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson; Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Berg, Toivonen

Sweden Subs : Krafth, Helander, Guidetti, Olsson, Hiljemark, Svensson, Jansson, Nordfeldt, Durmaz, Rohden, Johnsson, Theilin


TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch


In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

US TV channel Online stream
FOX / Telemundo fubo TV (7-day free trial)

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on BBC   or streamed live online using the BBC iPlayer.

UK TV channel Online stream
BBC Two BBC iPlayer

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