Devastated on the pitch, trailing 3-0 after a performance riddled with anxiety and inhibition, with the minutes ticking down on Mexico’s World Cup Javier Hernández did the only thing that really mattered in the circumstances. He pelted over to the touchline and asked his bench the burning question. What the hell is the score of Germany v South Korea? It was 0-0, there was still hope.
This was one of these extraordinary events where emotions were stretched to the fraying edges of reason. In stoppage time in Ekaterinburg the mood transformed, a charge cascading around the crowd. A goal for South Korea! But then the celebrations shrank as news of an offside flag spread. Elation part two came moments later as a referee in front of a television monitor nearly 1,000 kilometers away in Kazan made his decision. Germany’s elimination turned this match into a party in two parts – Sweden were elated, justifiably so, after a superb team performance ensured they top Group F. Mexico’s salty-sweet evening was almost too much for some of their players to take in.
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