The curse of the defending World Cup champions continues

Germany sent packing from Russia

Oh, Germany. What happened? How could you be so poor with such a talented group of players? And to think you were considered one of the favourites to win the tournament... shame.

This is what happens when you enter a tournament thinking you are better than everybody else. Complacency creeps in and you look a right fool.

There is no hiding from this embarrassment, and you have just joined 2006 winners Italy and 2010 winners Spain in being eliminated from the group stage as defending champions. Egg on face and all that.

I'm sure you will be back stronger in 2022, but for the next for years, you will be looked upon as nothing other than failures. See ya.

PS: Huge credit to South Korea. They were excellent.

Mexico forced to sweat it out

After impressive wins against Germany and South Korea, Mexico looked set to win their group. However, Sweden gave them a right hiding, and before their collapse against South Korea, Germany looked like they were going to pip Mexico to qualification.

Luckily for Mexico, not everything went against them on the day, but not winning the group means they face Brazil rather than Switzerland in the Round of 16. There are a lot of fine margins in a World Cup, and it seems Mexico have blown a big chance to go quite far in the tournament by not showing up against Sweden.

PS: Huge respect for Sweden. What a great performance!

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Brazil turn it on

There was little doubt that Brazil would get out of their group, but the worry was that they hadn't really played all that well in the first two games. That changed on Wednesday night as they confidently dispatched of a plucky Serbia side to win their group.

The South Americans were very good in all aspects of their play and with the rest of the favourites at the tournament looking a little below par (bar England and Belgium), who knows how far they can go this time around? Is number six on the horizon?

PS: Neymar is a little bit overrated.

Costa Rica give Switzerland a right scare

Switzerland joined Brazil in qualifying from the group, but they were made to really sweat by a spirited Costa Rican side. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, which was enough for the Swiss, but one question remains - why weren't Costa Rica this impressive in the other matches?

The same goes for South Korea. Do certain sides play better when there is no pressure on them? You aren't a bad side if you can beat Germany 2-0 or draw with Switzerland, so what happened?

PS: Son Heung-min is quality.