Defending champions Germany have crashed out of the ongoing World Cup tournament in Russia after they were beaten 2-0 by South Korea.

The holders needed a win to be sure of a place in the knockout stage but late goals from Kim Young-Gwon and Heung-Min Son condemned the Germans to a 2-0 defeat and an early exit from the tournament as the bottom-placed team in Group F.

In the other group game, Sweden thrashed Mexico 3-0 to usurp their opponents into top with all the goals coming in the second half.

Ludwig Augustinsson, Andreas Granqvist (penalty) and Edson Alvarez (own goal) got the goals for the Swedes.

After the final set of games in Group F, Sweden and Mexico march on in the tournament, while South Korea and Germany bid the competition goodbye.

Sweden will now face the runners-up from Group E in the last 16, while Mexico do battle with Group E winners in the fight for a quarter-final spot.