World Cup 2018: Day 10 as it happened - Germany leave it late as Mexico and Belgium win

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Soccer Football - World Cup - Group F - Germany vs Sweden - Fisht Stadium, Sochi, Russia - June 23, 2018   Germany's Toni Kroos celebrates scoring their second goal    REUTERS/Michael Dalder
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12.30am Sunday's entertainment

Recovered from that German grandstand finish yet?
Sunday should be a cracker too.

England will book a place in the last 16 if they beat Panama in their second Group G game at 4pm.

Senegal and Japan both were surprise victors in Group H and both will be anxious to build on that when they meet at 7pm.

It is effectively last chance time for both Poland and Colombia. A defeat for either side is probably game over territory for their qualification hopes. That should be a tense game at 10pm.

See you tomorrow.

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11.55pm Kroos wins it for Germany

Toni Kroos is the hero for Germany. He curls home from a tight angle in the fourth minute of stoppage time to win the game for the Germans.

It is heartbreak for Sweden and it blows open qualification in Group F.

Germany had been down to 10 men, with Jerome Boateng sent off for two bookable offences, but they had continued to push for a winner and were rewarded.

A huge win for Germany. Not a perfect performance by any means and Sweden will have a lot of cause for regret. Al Ain striker Marcus Berg will look to a penalty he probably should have been given in the first half, as well as having a header well saved by Manuel Neuer.

As it stands if Germany win against South Korea they reach the last 16 in their final group game on Wednesday.

Mexico need a point to guarantee qualification against Sweden, with the Swedes needing to win to realistically have a chance of going through.

Wednesday is going to be fun.

11.10pm Germany back in business

It will not win of Goal of the Tournament. But Germany have an equaliser, and a first goal of the tournament as the ball goes in of Marcel Reus's knee.

Joachim Low is still pacing up and down on the touchline as he knows a point is unlikely to be enough. A draw does keep Germany in the tournament, but even if they beat South Korea in their final game, a point for Sweden against Mexico would eliminate them.

It is going to be a tense last half hour.

10.55pm: Sweden lead

It is a case of good news and bad news for defending champions Germany.

Bad news they trail 1-0 to Olo Toivonen's goal.

Good news is they are still in this Group F game as it could have been a lot worse. A lot worse.

Joachim Low's side started well, but Sweden improved as the half wore on and began attacking, almost at will, on the break.

Al Ain's Marcus Berg should have had a penalty after he was felled in the box. And after Toivonen lobbed them into the lead, Berg almost doubled the lead only to see his header parried away by Manuel Neuer.

A massive half time team-talk for Low. If this stays as it is Germany are out and Mexico and Sweden are in the last 16.

To put this in context, Germany have only ever gone out in the first round once at a World Cup and that was in 1938. Back then it was knockout tournament.

Germany have made at least the semi-finals at the past four tournaments.

This will be a huge upset if this plays out as it has done so far.

9.50pm: The heat is on Germany and Joachim Low

France in 2002. Italy in 2010. Spain in 2014.

All defending world champions who failed to make it out of the group stages when they defended their title.

Could Germany make it four defending champions in five tournaments to suffer the fate.

Lose to Sweden and they are out. Draw and they will still have a chance but it will be out of their hands. Win and Joachim Low's men are back in business.

Low has certainly not been shy about making changes after Sunday's dismal loss to Mexico.

Mesut Ozil has been dropped. The much-criticised Arsenal playmaker was poor against Mexico and his absence is not too surprising.

Mats Hummels is absent due to injury, while Sami Khedira and Marvin Plattenhardt are dropped as well.

Marco Reus, Jonas Hector and Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rudy come into the team, as Chelsea's Antonio Ruediger replaces Hummels in central defence.

Sweden are again led in attack by Al Ain's Marcus Berg, who was unfortunate not to find the net against South Korea in their 1-0 victory.

8.50pm: Full time, South Korea 1-2 Mexico

Emotional scenes at the Rostov Arena as Mexico followed up their victory over world champions Germany with a 2-1 win over South Korea to secure their place in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup.

Carlos Vela's first-half penalty had given the Mexicans the lead before Javier Hernandez extended his national goalscoring record with his 50th goal in Mexico colours on 66 minutes.

As is the way under Juan Carlos Orosio, Mexico hit South Korea on the counter attack. The ball found its way to the West Ham United striker inside the area, who cut in on his right leg and scuffed a shot past Cho Hyun-woo in the South Korea goal.

Raphael Marquez came on in the 67th minute to help Mexico see out the match. The former Barcelona midfielder winning his 150th cap in the process.

Son Heung-min scored an outrageous consolation for South Korea, just rewards for his effort in trying to drag his country back into the match.

It is only the second time Mexico have won their opening two matches at a World Cup.

8.25pm: Portugal train ahead of Iran World Cup match

Cristiano Ronaldo trained along with the rest of his Portugal teammates as they prepare for their final game in Group B against Iran.

Ronaldo, the joint top scorer in Russia alongside Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, will be looking to extend his record as European football's highest international goalscorer after his header against Morocco in Portugal's last game took him beyond Hungary's Fernec Puskas on 85 goals.

Check out the gallery below.

6.56pm: Half time, South Korea 0-1 Mexico

A Carlos Vela penalty separates the two teams as South Korea's World Cup hopes hang by a thread.

ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JUNE 23:  Javier Hernandez of Mexico challenge for the ball with Ju Se-Jong and Lee Jae-Sung of Korea Republic during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Korea Republic and Mexico at Rostov Arena on June 23, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Javier Hernandez of Mexico, centre, is challenge by Ju Se-jong and Lee Jae-sung of South Korea. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

6.56pm: South Korea v Mexico

Mexico manager Juan Carlos Orosio has made only one change to his line up for the World Cup game against South Korea, keeping faith with players who combined to beat Germany in their Group F opener. Defender Edson Alvarez replaced Hugo Ayala at the back.

South Korea manager Shin Tae-yong stuck to his attacking line up but shook up his midfield with Ju Se-jong and Moon Seon-min coming in for Park Joo-ho and Koo Ja-cheol, as the 2002 semi-finalists seek to recover from their opening 1-0 loss to Sweden.

Mexico

Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Salcedo, Carlos Vela, Hector Moreno, Jesus Gallardo, Hector Herrera, Andres Guadrado, Miguel Layun, Edson Alvarez, Hirving Lozano, Javier Hernandez.

South Korea 

Jo Hyeon-woo, Lee Yong, Son Heung-min, Ju Se-jong, Hwang Hee-chan, Kim Min-woo, Ki Sung-yueng, Kim Young-gwon, Jang Hyun-soo, Lee Jae-sung, Moon Seo-min.

6.45pm: Flawed but hugely entertaining Belgium rout Tunisia

A match of 39 shots proved the highest-scoring game of the tournament.

Frequently brilliant going forward, sometimes dodgy defensively, Belgium will enliven the World Cup, whether or not they win it. In the truest tradition of Roberto Martinez teams, they were flawed but hugely entertaining.

Read Richard Jolly's full match report here.

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, left, scores his second and Belgium's third goal past Tunisia goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha in a 5-2 win at Spartak Stadium in Moscow. Hassan Ammar / AP Photo
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, left, scores his second and Belgium's third goal past Tunisia goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha in a 5-2 win at Spartak Stadium in Moscow. Hassan Ammar / AP Photo

6.25pm: Persepctive needed for England

As far as England scandals go, the fallout from leaked pictures of Gareth Southgate's supposed line-up to take on Panama is far from sensational, although hardly ideal.

While many have accused the British press of undermining the team - hardly new phenomena at a major tournament - the idea that a massive cat has somehow been let out of an equally massive bag is fanciful. As in most instances, perspective is needed; England are playing Panama, a team appearing at their first World Cup, not one of the elite teams, who most likely wouldn't bat an eyelid at any line-up Southgate put out. The leaked images are a mild irritation, certainly, but hardly fatal.

Read what else Steve Luckings has to say on the subject here.

England's assistant coach Steve Holland attends a training session at Spartak Zelenogorsk Stadium in Saint Petersburg. Holland apologised to the squad after images were released of him holding what appeared to show England's team to face Panama. Paul Ellis / AFP
England's assistant coach Steve Holland attends a training session at Spartak Zelenogorsk Stadium in Saint Petersburg. Holland apologised to the squad after images were released of him holding what appeared to show England's team to face Panama. Paul Ellis / AFP

5.55pm: Full time, Belgium 5-2 Tunisia

Two goals apiece from Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku were enough to send Belgium through to the last 16 as Tunisia were put to the sword in Moscow.

Hazard successfully slotted home a sixth-minute penalty after VAR was used to review a challenge on the Belgium captain on the edge of the area. The lead was doubled 10 minutes later when Lukaku drilled home a left-foot shot from the edge of the area.

Dylan Bronn reduced the arrears on 18 minutes before Lukaku restored Belgium's two goal lead in first-half injury time, taking his tally to four in two Group G games.

Hazard rounded Farouk Ben Mustapha in the Tunisia goal to make it four for Belgium and substitute Michy Batshuayi could have had a hat-trick, denied by a clearance off the line, the woodwork and fine goalkeeping by Mustapha, before finally getting his name on the scoresheet in the 90th minute with a sliding left-foot finish.

Wahbi Khazri scored a late consolation for Tunisia in time added on.

4.55pm: 10 of the worst

To counter our 10 of the best moments below, Jon Turner has put together 10 of the worst moments of this World Cup.

From the overreaction surrounding Lionel Messi to Mohamed Salah's early exit, it hasn't all been bright and sunny in Russia!

Read Jon's 10 worst moments from the first 10 days here

epaselect epa06829064 Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after the 0-3  during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group D preliminary round soccer match between Argentina and Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 21 June 2018.

(RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup)  EPA/VASSIL DONEV   EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Lionel Messi faces an early World Cup exit with Argentina after a draw against Iceland and defeat to Croatia. Vassil Donev / EPA

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3.08pm: 10 of the best

We're 10 days in to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and already we've been privy to some memorable moments.

Steve Luckings has put together 10 of the best moments from the tournament so far.

Do you agree with his selections?

Check out his 10 highlights here.

Denmark's Christian Eriksen scores against Australia. Dylan Martinez / Reuters
Denmark's Christian Eriksen scores against Australia. Dylan Martinez / Reuters

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12.23pm: 'It's just emotion'

Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri's celebration after scoring the late winner against Serbia on Friday was taken by some as a nod to the Albanian flag.

The Stoke City player, who plays with the Kozovo flag on his right boot, celebrated his 90th minute strike much the same way as teammate Granit Xhaka after he smashed in Switzerland's equaliser. Xhaka, born in Basel, has Albanian ancestry and his brother, Taulant, plays for the Albania national team.

But Shaqiri insists there was nothing political about his celebration, it was "just emotion" taking over.

Discover what Shaqiri had to say here as both the Switzerland and Serbia managers refuse to get involved.

epa06832010 Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland celebrates scoring the 2-1 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group E preliminary round soccer match between Serbia and Switzerland in Kaliningrad, Russia, 22 June 2018.

(RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup)  EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK   EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates after scoring Switzerland's late winner against Serbia. He plays with the Kosovo flag on his right boot. Martin Diviseck / EPA

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10.45am: Germany 'ready to fight for their lives'

A hugely important day for the defending champions as Germany face Sweden (kick-off 10pm) aiming to keep alive their World Cup hopes after the shock opening defeat to Mexico.

Germany striker Timo Werner insists he and his teammates are "ready to fight for their lives" while fellow forward Thomas Muller is aware "the pressure is terrifically high".

Before that match, Belgium take on Tunisia (4pm) aiming to take a big step towards the last-16 before Mexico aim to follow suit against South Korea (7pm).

epa06831179 Germany's head coach Joachim Loew (C) talks to players during a training session at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, 22 June 2018. Germany will face Sweden  in their FIFA World Cup Group F preliminary round soccer match on 23 June 2018.  EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Germany manager Joachim Low is surrounded by his squad during a training session ahead of the World Cup Group F match against Sweden. Mohamed Messara / EPA

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9.15am: Nigeria stay alive

Before we look ahead to all of today's action, catch up with yesterday's impressive win for Nigeria against Iceland, which very much keeps the African side's hopes of qualifying alive.

Victory over Argentina in their final Group D game will guarantee progress, although avoiding defeat as long as Iceland don't beat Croatia will also send the Super Eagles through.

Gary Meenaghan was at the Volgograd Arena to witness this match. Enjoy his match report here.

And check out this picture gallery to relive all the best moments:

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9am: Another day of drama?

Good morning football fans! It's Day 10 of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and we're all set for another full schedule of football.

Friday was a day full of twists, turns and some wonder goals. Brazil left it late but eventually got the job done against Costa Rica, two wonderful goals from Ahmed Musa delivered victory for Nigeria over Iceland, while Xherdan Shaqiri scored a late winner for Switzerland against Serbia.

Today, the first match (kick-off 4pm UAE time) sees Belgium take on Tunisia in Group D as Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Co aim to book their places in the last-16.

That is followed at 7pm by South Korea v Mexico in Group F, and victory for the Central American side will send them through to the knockout stages while sending their Asian opponents home.

The action concludes at 10pm with defending champions Germany looking to bounce back from their surprise defeat to Mexico when they face Sweden.

Stay with us throughout the day as we bring you all the news and previews from Russia!