Germany 0 Mexico 1
In contrast to Group E, four the Group F residents wear adidas and this was another game where, mercifully, both teams could wear their first-choice outfits.
Germany’s kit references the victorious 1990 strip, with stripes of three varying widths giving a grey effect. Perhaps fittingly, the champions patches began to peel off the German shirts during this game.
Mexico’s look also harked back to adidas days of old, though to a 1993-94 design they hadn’t themselves worn (they were Umbro at the time).
Sweden 1 Korea Republic 0
Sweden’s smart kit has a very faint pattern featuring the diagonal parallelograms which were ubiquitous on adidas shirts in the 1980s. Their goalkeeper Robin Olsen wore the same colour-scheme as Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa, though with different colour neck, arm panels, shorts and socks.
According to Nike, Korea Republic’s away kit recognises the country’s global contributions. Preventing a nuclear war between the USA and North Korea until their leaders met is worthy of acknowledgement.
Korea Republic 1 Mexico 2
In contrast to their imaginative away kit, Korea’s home was very plain/bland, depending on your viewpoint.
Mexico’s away was one of the best in the tournament, though if we were being picky we’d have preferred green or white shorts. Ochoa was in blue this time, with a mismatching baselayer.
Germany 2 Sweden 1
Germany fell behind and teetered on the brink of elimination but Toni Kroos’ late winner kept them alive.
Their goalkeeper Manuel Neuer wore the same shirt as Olsen had against Korea, meaning the latter had to wear a dark grey and pink version.
The Sweden away shirt was in the same Condivo template used by a lot of other countries, with tonal stripes making up small squares.
Korea Republic 2 Germany 0
Rather than going all-white to solve the shorts-clash – perhaps surprisingly, given that it was what they wore as they won the 2014 competition – Germany gave their away kit an airing.
Unfortunately, it’s a strip which will be a associated with failure, as they were eliminated. The kit called to mind the 1990 change kit, but the design was unique. Neuer, caught in possession in the lead-up to the second Korea goal as Germany chased a lifeline, wore a third different kit, two tones of grey mixed with luminous green/yellow.
Mexico 0 Sweden 3
Sweden’s 3-0 win meant they topped the group – with Germany’s defeat saving Mexico from an ignominious exit. The Swedes would face Switzerland while Mexico’s last-16 tie would be against Brazil.
Correction: Mexico didn’t qualify prior to the third game. Despite winning their first two, they would have been eliminated if Germany had managed to beat Korea.
Love your site – keep up the great work!
Thanks Andrew, will amend!