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 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? At that point 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 turned into a twisted kind of pandemonium – first a charge cascading around the crowd to signal news of a goal for South Korea. But then the celebrations shrank with reports of a raised flag. A second wave of euphoria came moments later as a referee in front of a television monitor nearly 1,000km away in Kazan made his fateful decision.

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Everybody felt this had turned into a Group of Death but who could have imagined it would be Germany who would expire. The atmosphere around this match encompassed devastation, elation and everywhere in between. Germany’s elimination turned the match into a party in two parts – Sweden were elated, justifiably so, after a superb team performance doing what they do best ensured they topped Group F. Mexico’s salty-sweet afternoon was almost too much for some of their players to take in. There were tears.

For Sweden it meant so much after their stressful week dealing with their heartbreakingly late defeat against Germany last weekend, feelings running high and racist abuse aimed at one of their own in Jimmy Durmaz. They were pumped up from the first minute to last. Over the 90 minutes Sweden played as if on a mission that was about more than just football. Janne Andersson felt this success profoundly. “I am so very proud … I am moved, so touched, by the thought of how we performed,” the manager said. “They were so disciplined, so loyal. We grew another little bit since Saturday.”

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A high press with plenty of high balls gave them the impetus and Mexico mislaid some of their easy optimism as they strained to impose their game in these specialist conditions. Nerves cramped their natural style as they found themselves worrying about Sweden’s aerial threat.

The intensity of the situation was clear for all to see from the kick-off. It took 15 seconds for the first hotly competed ball, and Jesús Gallardo had to put a lot into his jump to challenge Ola Toivonen to a high ball. The pair crashed heads. Toivonen was floored and Gallardo booked.

In the 28th minute the tension increased as Sweden called on VAR to make their case for a possible penalty. In an attempt to deal with another set piece Hernández appeared to control the ball with his arm. The Argentinian referee, Néstor Pitana, cantered over to consult the monitors and returned to point that it was, in his opinion, not a penalty. Andersson looked close to popping a blood vessel on the touchline. Sweden had no option but to continue forcing the issue.

Mexico looked agitated. The heaving crosses were a clear part of Sweden’s plan and finding the balance between dealing with that tactic and trying to express their style left the Mexicans puzzled. Finding some flow of driving runs, jinking moves and disguised passes proved frustratingly elusive.

Juan Carlos Osorio described the experience as a serious learning curve. “My sin was to be a purist, to think we can compete and beat a team who play the same type of football every weekend,” the Mexico manager said. “Hopefully one day I will get it right, that we play good football and can beat teams who play that way. This match has taught me a lot.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Mexico await their fate, and the result of Germany’s match against South Korea, after defeat by Sweden Photograph: Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images

They learned the hard way, conceding three times in the second half. The first was volleyed in by Ludwig Augustinsson, an extraordinary moment for the left-back who had never scored for his country. Sweden’s advantage escalated quickly. They were breaking at will, just needing the right final ball, and when Marcus Berg was invited to gallop into the area it was desperation time for Héctor Moreno. The Mexico defender tackled on the stretch but made contact only with Berg’s foot.

Pitana pointed to the spot with the flourish of certainty. Over on the touchline Osorio plaintively made a television gesture, hoping it might get them out of a hole. It would not have made much difference. Andreas Granqvist, sweat pouring from his brow, stood over the ball. The captain cracked in his penalty emphatically.

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“It has been quite difficult to get to this match with six points and not be through yet,” Osorio said. “That was psychologically very tough. Once they scored, things got really difficult for us.”

Dealing with high balls was a problem and when Sweden’s young substitute Isaac Kiese Thelin nodded on, the ball snuck off Edson Álvarez’s hand and trickled past Guillermo Ochoa.

Mexico glimpsed attempts at a comeback through Hernández and Carlos Vela but their fate lay increasingly with events in Kazan. Salvation came with the outcome of Germany’s game with South Korea.

They made the last 16 once again, even if it was with a performance that shook them. For Sweden there was only the sweetness of a rock-solid plan played to perfection.