Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup coverage continues from the Ekaterinburg Arena as Mexico face Sweden in Group F. Mexico currently sit top of the section, and need a point in this match to confirm their spot in the next round as group winners. Sweden, meanwhile, must better Germany's result against South Korea to advance. It is shaping up to be a very interesting finish to Group F!

This afternoon will be just the second time that Mexico and Sweden have met at a World Cup. Their first meeting occurred when Sweden hosted the 1958 competition, and Mexico suffered a 3-0 defeat. Sweden were also 1-0 winners when the pair last locked horns in a friendly match back in 2009.

Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Have both managers made changes from their second Group F games, or is it a case of same again? Let's have a look...

TEAMS!

MEXICO: Ochoa; Alvarez, Salcedo, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Guardado; Layun, Vela, Lozano; Hernandez

SWEDEN: Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson; Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Berg, Toivonen

For the first time in 51 matches, Mexico are unchanged. Indeed, head coach Juan Carlos Osorio has selected the same XI that started against South Korea last time out, meaning that Edson Alvarez continues at right-back. Javier Hernandez netted his 50th international goal last time out and continues in the centre-forward role, with Hirving Lozano, Carlos Vela and Miguel Layun in support.

© Reuters

Sweden, meanwhile, are also unchanged from the team that started their 2-1 defeat to Germany last time out. Ola Toivonen scored a wonderful goal against the world champions, and he is once again joined in the final third by Marcus Berg, who is the top scorer in the squad with 18 goals. Viktor Claesson and Emil Forsberg, meanwhile, will again operate in the wide midfield areas for Sweden.

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff at the Ekaterinburg Arena. Let me just run through the current situation in Group F, as it could become a bit complicated this afternoon. Mexico lead the group with six points, and the Central Americans need a point in this game to secure their spot in the round of 16 as winners of the section.

🗣 "As a team, we want to make our own history"

How far do you think @CH14_ and #MEX can get in this year's #WorldCup in Russia? pic.twitter.com/FxqZhMXoD7 — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 27, 2018

That said, Mexico would also definitely advance if world champions Germany fail to beat South Korea, with that match also taking place this afternoon. Sweden, meanwhile, are guaranteed to qualify if they better Germany's result. If they beat Mexico and Germany fail to overcome South Korea then Sweden will actually finish as winners of the section.

Germany, meanwhile, must win by two or more goals, or better Sweden's result, in order to guarantee their spot in the next round. If both Germany and Sweden were to share the points in their respective matches then the team in the higher-scoring game would finish second to Mexico.

If both draws in Group F are the same scoreline then Germany would finish above Sweden on the head-to-head. To make it even more confusing, South Korea can also still book their spot in the next round, but they must beat Germany and hope that Sweden lose to Mexico to stand a chance.

When #MEX fans encounter #SWE fans in the concession line. pic.twitter.com/LZMcfTSuki — Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) June 27, 2018

There are obviously a lot of ifs and buts in this group, but I shall keep you up-to-speed with what is happening throughout the afternoon. Mexico are almost there, and they deserve to be having beaten Germany 1-0 and South Korea 2-1 in their two group matches at this summer's competition.

Lozano scored the winner against Germany on June 17, before Vela and Hernandez netted in the victory over South Korea. Mexico have quite incredibly fallen at the last-16 stage in each of the last six World Cups, and they will be desperate to reach at least the quarter-finals in Russia.

Sweden, meanwhile, opened their tournament with a 1-0 win over South Korea on June 18, and looked to be picking up a point against Germany on Saturday night. Indeed, Marco Reus had cancelled out an Ola Toivonen effort to leave the two teams level approaching the referee's final whistle.

Toni Kroos had other ideas, however, with the Real Madrid midfielder netting a stunning late effort for Germany. The defeat could turn out to be very damaging for Sweden, but they just have to win this match and then see what happens. It really is shaping up to be a fascinating conclusion to Group F.

This is how #SWE and #MEX arrive to the last match of the @FIFAWorldCup's group stage!! 🇲🇽 🆚🇸🇪

Take a 👀!! 💪🏻#NadaNosDetiene | #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/PgbBEWRxRp — Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) June 27, 2018

Sweden made the last-16 stage of the World Cup in both 2002 and 2006, but actually failed to qualify for the finals of the tournament in both 2010 and 2014. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had been tipped to return for the 2018 finals, but the forward is not here, and Sweden are more than holding their own.

Here we go then; the time for talking is almost over, with kickoff now just moments away. Which two teams will progress from Group F this afternoon? Be sure to stay tuned with Sports Mole to find out!

KICKOFF! Sweden kick things off this afternoon...

... BOOKING! Gallardo (Mexico) has been booked for Mexico inside 15 seconds for a poor challenge on Forsberg. Not entirely sure that the full-back was doing there!

CHANCE! Big chance for Sweden to score as Berg heads a Forsberg free kick back across goal, but Granqvist just cannot make contact under pressure from Gallardo. Wow!

It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. Mexico are almost there, but a defeat here could well see them eliminated. Sweden have started well.

Sweden have a free kick as Ochoa is adjudged to have handled the ball outside the Mexico box. Perhaps that should have been a yellow card? Mexico have made a nervous start to this one.

SAVE! Ochoa has to punch clear a powerful free kick from Forsberg!

Mexico have not really been able to get going in the opening eight minutes as Sweden continue to dominate. You do get the feeling that Sweden need to make the breakthrough in this match.

Better from Mexico in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy some possession in the final third. Layun finds space down the right before striking towards goal, but his effort was always wide.

I suspect that we could be seeing a lot of yellow cards this afternoon as late challenges continue to occur. Gallardo's booking after 15 seconds has actually gone down as the quickest in World Cup history!

CLOSE! Another chance for Sweden as Granqvist heads down towards Berg inside the Mexico box, but the striker can only turn his over-head kick wide of the Mexican post!

No sign of the match settling at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Sweden will feel that they have done enough to deserve to be ahead here. Another half-chance arrives when Forsberg picks up the ball, but his effort was always too high.

CLOSE! Huge chance for Mexico to take the lead following some poor defending from Sweden. Lozano works the ball into Vela, and the number 11's effort is just wide of the post!

CHANCE! Huge chance for Sweden this time as Forsberg finds himself all alone inside the Mexico box, but the attacker turns a cross over the crossbar. Oh my goodness me.

I am not entirely sure how this match is still goalless when considering the amount of players both teams are committing in the final third of the field. The first 20 minutes has simply flown past.

Guardado works some space outside the Sweden box before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. This game continues to produce exciting moments here.

The pace has dropped in the last couple of minutes as Sweden build from a defensive area.

BOOKING! Larsson (Sweden) is booked for a high challenge on Lozano.

It is still goalless in the match between Germany and South Korea, and I am hearing that the 2014 world champions are in a match there. Still goalless between Mexico and Sweden, meanwhile.

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Sweden continue to deliver high balls into the Mexico box. The presence of Granqvist is causing a lot of problems, and that is clearly an area that Sweden have identified. VAR are just having a look at a potential Hernandez handball here...

... the referee is going to have a look at a potential handball.

The referee says no penalty. It would have been very harsh!

SAVE! Ochoa turns a close-range Berg effort over from close range!

Forsberg passes up another opportunity as he places the ball wide of the post following a break from Sweden. We are somehow still goalless approaching the half-time whistle here.

Lozano has the opportunity to have a shot from outside the Sweden box, but Lindelof is on hand to make the block. Mexico are then forced to go back as Sweden press high up the field.

As it stands, Mexico and Germany are going through from this group, but Sweden have shown enough in this first period to suggest that they are more than capable of winning this match.

Lustig breaks forward for Sweden, but the full-back is denied by a fine challenge from Lozano, who has shown in this World Cup that he is more than happy to help out his defence. Still 0-0 here.

Half-chance for Vela, but his powerful drive was always rising over the Sweden goal.

Still no movement in Group F as both matches enter the final stages of their respective first periods. Mexico again threaten in a wide position as Gallardo delivers low towards Lozano, but the attacker was never beating Sweden's two centre-backs to the ball. This first half has just flown past!

Mexico have just slowed the game down in the last couple of minutes here.

Olsen is down to keep out a low strike from Layun, which lacked power.

We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.

Granqvist does well to clear a low cross from Lozano as Mexico threaten here.

CHANCE! Berg hits the side-netting with an effort from inside the Mexico box!

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0, but that does not tell the full story - far from it. Indeed, both sides had a number of chances in the first period, but were simply unable to find the back of the net. Great entertainment in this one.

STATISTICS! Mexico had 63% possession in the first period, while they also managed 10 attempts, just just one of those was on target. Sweden, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their nine attempts. Two yellow cards to report - Gallardo after 15 seconds, and Larsson in the 26th minute.

BENCH WATCH! Sweden boss Andersson has a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with Durmaz, Guidetti and Thelin among those that could make a difference. Mexico, meanwhile, have second-half options in the shape of Aquino, Corona, G Dos Santos, Peralta and Jimenez.

RESTART! Mexico resume this key clash...

... no changes from either team at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.

Just a reminder that a point for Mexico would confirm their spot as winners of the section. Sweden, however, are currently finishing third as it stands. Still a lot of football to be played though.

Gallardo breaks into a wide position before delivering low towards Hernandez, but Lindelof is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner from the left is than headed clear by Lindelof.

Oh my goodness me! Sweden make the breakthrough in the 50th minute as Augustinsson finds himself free at the far post, and Ochoa cannot keep out the defender's powerful strike!

Another opportunity for Sweden as Forsberg finds space outside the Mexico box, but his effort was always too high. Germany simply have to score against South Korea if they are to go through!

CLOSE! Augustinsson curls just over the Mexico crossbar as the Sweden defender comes close once again. Mexico just cannot seem to get going at the moment here.

Sweden are going to be forced into a change here as Larsson cannot continue.

SWEDEN SUB! Svensson replaces Larsson in Sweden's first change.

Lustig finds the head of Berg with a deep cross, but the striker's effort never had enough power to beat Ochoa. Berg then stays down, and the number nine wants some treatment here.

BOOKING! Moreno (Mexico) is booked for bringing Berg to the deck!

Wonderful penalty from Granqvist to find the top corner of the net!

Little over 25 minutes of this clash remaining, and Mexico really have to find something because they are heading out of the tournament if Germany manage to find a goal against South Korea.

MEXICO SUB! Gallardo is replaced by Fabian for Mexico.

SAVE! Fabian sees a long-range effort deflected just over the Sweden goal!

SWEDEN SUB! Berg is replaced by Thelin for Sweden.

Mexico continue to force the issue in the final third, but we have not seen too much from Hernandez and Vela since the goals went in down the other end. Mexico's spot in the last 16 is far from secure.

Hernandez heads over the Sweden crossbar from a deflected free kick.

Granqvist has been wonderful for Sweden in this match, with the centre-back clearing time and time again. Mexico are having loads of the ball at the moment, but are not creating too much.

Oh my word. Sweden have their third of the match as Alvarez makes a mess of a cross into the Mexico box, with the defender turning past his won goalkeeper. Incredible scenes here.

MEXICO SUB! Corona replaces Guardado for Mexico.

Olsen has just made an excellent save to keep out a close-range Hernandez effort, but the striker was in an offside position. Mexico really need South Korea to keep holding Germany in that one.

Little over 10 minutes of this match remaining, and what a huge finish we have to this group!

SWEDEN SUB! Hiljemark replaces Ekdal for Sweden.

Mexico have the chance to threaten from a free kick outside the Sweden box, but Vela's effort hits the wall. Mexico really have been disappointing this afternoon, but credit must be given to a Sweden.

CHANCE! Vela somehow fails to head a Hernandez strike into the Sweden net!

Little over five minutes of football remaining here. Meanwhile, it is still goalless between Germany and South Korea. Mexico are still making the round of 16 as results stand in this section.

BOOKING! Layun (Mexico) is booked for a foul on Toivonen.

Not an awful lot happening here, with both teams simply waiting for the outcome of the Germany match, which is still goalless. Sweden are winning the group as things stand - madness.

BOOKING! Lustig (Sweden) is booked for a foul on Lozano.

MEXICO SUB! Peralta replaces Layun for Mexico.

Lozano has one deflected over the Sweden crossbar as Mexico put some pressure on.

We are into the first of four additional minutes here.

It is still goalless between South Korea and Germany, but that match has six added minutes.

Mexico come again, but another attack breaks down. At the moment, they are still heading into the round of 16 despite losing, but Germany still have time to score late on.

Sweden are heading through with Mexico, and Germany are heading out in the groups!

Incredible scenes here. Sweden have recorded a 3-0 win to take first spot in the group, while Mexico go through in second because Germany have lost 1-0 to South Korea. Absolutely incredible. Germany are out in the group stages of the tournament! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live commentary of the action once again. Until next time!