MOSCOW, June 28. /TASS/. Day 14 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup saw the championship’s major sensation, with reigning world champions failing to reach the knockout stage.

Two more pairs of the Round of 16 were determined on Wednesday: Brazil will face Mexico in Samara on July 2, and Sweden will take on Switserland in St. Petersburg on July 3.

Germany continues a tradition when a European team after winning the World Cup Trophy fails to clear for the playoffs at the next tournament. That was the case with France in Japan and South Korea in 2002, Italy in South Africa in 2010, and Spain in Brazil in 2014. Now, it’s Germany’s turn.

The Germans started the tournament with an unexpected defeat by Mexico 0-1. In their second group stage match against Sweden, the reigning world champions could have lost points as well and only Toni Kroos’ winning goal from the spot at the very end of the game made it possible for the Germans to preserve chances for reaching the Round of 16. They needed a win over South Korea, the group’s outsider after two defeats.

But instead of a win, Germany received two goals in their net. Kim Young-gwon scored the first goal in the third minute of added time, and Son Heung-min made it 2-0 in the sixth minute of added time.

Joachim Low, said after the game he was still uncertain whether he would continue as Team Germany’s coach. However, his resignation is not pending. President of the German Football Association, Reinhard Grindel, said the decision to extend the contract with Low till the year 2022 was absolutely right.

In another Group F match, which took place at the same time, Sweden defeated Mexico with a crushing 3-0 score, and placed first in the group, making it to the knockout stage of the tournament. The goals were scored by Ludwig Augustinsson (50’), Andreas Granqvist (62’, from penalty kick). Mexico’s Edson Alvarez scored an own goal (74’).

Sweden earned six points and lead the group, while Mexicans placed second also with 6 points due to additional indicators. South Korea placed third with three points, and Germany took the fourth place with three points as well.

Group E matches were played later on Wednesday. Three teams were vying for two places in the playoffs: Brazil and Switzerland, having four points each, and Serbia, with three points. Costa Rica have already been eliminated. To reach the Round of 16, Serbia needed to win its match against Brazil but failed to do that. Brazil ultimately won 2-0. The goals were scored by Paulinho (36th minute) and Thiago Silva (68th minute).

Meanwhile, Switzerland drew their Group E match versus Costa Rica 2-2, taking the second position in the group and getting into knockouts. Swiss midfielder Blerim Dzemali and forward Josip Drmic scored the goals at the 31st and 85th minutes respectively. In the Cosa Rican team, the goals were bagged by Kendall Watson [56] and Brian Ruiz [90+3, penalty goal].

Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovich said after the game his team had lacked motivation as it had already qualified for the playoffs.

Brazil finished the group stage on the first position in Group E, having earned seven points. Switzerland were second with five points. The Serbians took the third position with three points, and Costa Rica were fourth with just one point.

England’s Hurry Kane is so far Russia 2018’s best striker, with five goals scored. He is followed by Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (four goals each), and Russia’s Denis Cheryshev and Iceland’s Diego Costa (three goals each).

Finals matches of the 2018 World Cup group stage will be played on Thursday. Japan will face Poland in Volgograd and Senegal will take on Colombia in Samara (Group H). Group G matches will be played between Panama and Tunisia in Saransk, and England and Belgium in Kaliningrad.