World Cup 2018 LIVE: Argentina and Lionel Messi reaction, Diego Maradona latest, Germany and Brazil bid to reach last-16, news, predictions and more

All the latest World Cup news from day 13 in Russia

World Cup: Maradona swears after Argentina scores

The 2018 World Cup is in full flow in Russia.

Argentina Football booked their place in the last-16 on Tuesday night with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nigeria Football that saw them progress from Group D alongside Croatia, and set-up a mouth-watering game with France this weekend, while it all proved to be a bit too much for Diego Maradona as he watched on in St Petersburg.

But today the action moves on swiftly with both Brazil Football and Spain looking to secure their safe passage to the next round. Germany are up first as the reigning world champions face South Korea knowing that a victory will guarantee them a place in the last-16, with Mexico and Sweden also vying for qualification in the group’s over match.

Then Brazil will look to earn a win over Serbia that will see them safely through, with Switzerland and Costa Rica competing in Group E’s other match. Follow all the latest news below...

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Key Points

• It's day 14 in Russia and the climax of Groups E and F
• First up it's Mexico vs Sweden at 3pm in Ekaterinburg
• Germany bid to keep their tournament alive against South Korea at the same time in Kazan
• The late games see Neymar's Brazil take on Serbia in Moscow at 7pm
• Switzerland kick off against Costa Rica in Nizhny Novgorod at the same time

[27 June 2018 09:09 · Jack de Menezes]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's World Cup live blog, where we'll bring you all the latest from Russia as Groups E and F take centre stage, plus the fallout from Argentina's dramatic victory over Nigeria and Diego Maradona's controversial night continues.

[27 June 2018 09:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

There is only one place to start this morning. Argentina progressed from Group D thanks to Marcos Rojo's late volley at the end of a drama-filled night full of twists and turns.

Jonathan Liew was in St. Petersburg:

[27 June 2018 09:20 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

There was drama off the field, too. Diego Maradona appeared to collapse after his countrymen's win, and was treated by paramedics at the stadium. However, an Argentinian source has denied earlier reports that Maradona was transported to a local hospital.

[27 June 2018 09:26 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

It has been a typically controversial tournament for Maradona. There were allegations of racist gestures directed towards a group of South Korea fans earlier, and last night's 'celebration' has drawn criticism from Gary Lineker, who has branded Maradona a 'laughing stock.'

[27 June 2018 09:32 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Back to on-field matters, and the insertion of Ever Banega worked to somewhat transform a struggling midfield. Michael Cox looks at the tactical alterations that paid dividends for Argentina:

[27 June 2018 09:37 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

While Argentina's win was the both the game and the story of the day, six other sides concluded their group stages yesterday. Iceland harboured faint hopes of progression, but eventually fell to a much-changed but still impressive Croatia. From Rostov-on-Don, Nick Miller:

[27 June 2018 09:43 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Tuesday had earlier seen the conclusion of Group C. Peru notched a first World Cup win for 40 years against Australia, while the Luzhniki Stadium was the venue for the first 0-0 of the tournament. Neither France nor Denmark could bring any colour to a drab game of football, and it is Les Bleus who will be more concerned with that. Doubts remain about Didier Deschamps' ability to get the best out of an immensely talented French squad:

[27 June 2018 09:50 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

For all the fallout from yesterday, have a listen to The Indy Football Podcast. There is a new episode out every day during the World Cup to listen to. The latest episode features Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney discussing Argentina's win alongside Sports Editor Ed Malyon in Moscow, while Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jonathan Liew provide their thoughts on their way home from the St. Petersburg Stadium. The podcast is available on various podcasting platforms, including iTunes, or you can listen through your browser here:

[27 June 2018 10:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

The four games today come from Groups F and E. From 3pm BST, South Korea play Germany in Kazan and Mexico meet Sweden in Ekaterinburg. All four teams can still qualify.

Mexico top the group and need only a point, or a German draw or loss, to secure qualification. Sweden qualify if they better Germany's result, and will top the group if they beat Mexico with a better result than Germany. 

Germany progress if they win by two or more clear goals. If both they and Sweden draw, the team involved in the higher scoring game will progress as the second qualifier. If both draw with the same score, Germany will progress thanks to Toni Kroos' late winner against Sweden.

South Korea can qualify with a win over Germany and a Sweden loss, provided their resulting goal difference is better than either of them.

Got it?

[27 June 2018 10:09 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

On to Group E. Serbia vs Brazil is at the the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, while Switzerland vs Costa Rica is in Nizhny Novgorod - 7pm kick-offs. Costa Rica are out.

A draw for Brazil against Serbia is enough to progress. A point would also take Switzerland through, who could also progress with a loss provided Brazil win.

Serbia qualify with a win over Brazil. A draw would be good enough if Costa Rica beat Switzerland by more than one goal.