KAZAN, Russia — The tears flowed on both sides of the field after South Korea beat Germany at the World Cup.

Even in victory, the South Koreas struggled to compose themselves following a 2-0 win that knocked the defending champion Germans out of the tournament. That’s because South Korea entered the match with a slim chance to advance but couldn’t get it done.

“Since we won, everything went as planned,” South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong said. “We looked at their strategies for the past four days. We looked at Germany’s formation. I told (my players) we would have opportunities, that they would need the victory more than us.”

South Korea had lost its opening two matches, but could have advanced with a victory at the Kazan Arena if Mexico had beaten Sweden in the other Group F match.

But nobody told the South Korean players that Mexico was getting routed 3-0, and they thought they were in contention right to the end.

“It was only after the game that we knew the score,” South Korea goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo said. “We were really disappointed, that’s why a lot of us cried.”

South Korea, however, finished its campaign in Russian on a high, scoring two goals in injury time.

Sweden 3, Mexico 0YEKATERINBURG, Russia — Sweden was so dominant against Mexico at the World Cup that the best Mexican plays of the night were made 600 miles away by South Koreans.The Swedes rolled to a 3-0 rout Wednesday, never challenged in the second half, overtaking Mexico to win Group F just four nights after a gut-wrenching last-minute loss to Germany. The result, combined with South Korea’s 2-0 upset of the Germans, meant Sweden and Mexico — the group runner-up — advanced.Sweden makes its first appearance in the knockout stage since 2006. Mexico plays in the round of 16 for the seventh straight World Cup.

Switzerland 2, Costa Rica 2NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia — Switzerland is through to a knockout game against Sweden at the World Cup. Half of its starting defense isn’t.Switzerland qualified second in Group E behind Brazil despite twice losing the lead in a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica on Wednesday night. The riveting game culminated with an injury-time penalty from Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz that hit the crossbar and went in off Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s head.

Brazil 2, Serbia 0MOSCOW — Worried no more, Brazil is through at the World Cup.Paulinho and Thiago Silva scored a goal each Wednesday to give the five-time champions a 2-0 victory over Serbia and first place in their group.Brazil struggled in its opening two matches, first held to a 1-1 draw and then needing late goals to win the other. But they controlled this one.