Group F round-up: Sweden captain's heroics secures top spot in player rankings

Well, that was unexpected, wasn’t it? Defending world champions Germany failed to make it past the group stages, with a 2-0 loss to South Korea ensuring they finished bottom of Group F. Drawn alongside South Korea, Mexico and Sweden, Germany were expected to ease into the next round of the tournament, only to fall at the first hurdle. 

All four sides had a chance of qualifying coming into the final round of matches on Wednesday, but it was Sweden who pipped Mexico to top spot after a 3-0 win over their north American counterparts. South Korea, who have two players in the top five best rated performers from Group F, won the admiration of many, while Germany were the biggest disappointment after three blunt displays in Russia.  

5. Son Heung-Min (South Korea) - 7.43 Rating 

He scored two of South Korea’s three goals, including their second in their memorable 2-0 win over Germany, and while he couldn’t fire them to the next round of the World Cup, Son Heung-Min did enough to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.43. The South Korea captain also completed nine successful dribbles, which in a side that spent much of matches on the backfoot, is a fine return, and chipped in with an additional six key passes, with the Tottenham man impressing in Russia. 

4. Viktor Claesson (Sweden) - 7.51 Rating 

Viktor Claesson won the penalty that helped Sweden to a 1-0 win over South Korea and provided assists against Germany and Mexico. The Krasnodar winger is one of the countries hottest attacking players at the moment and he showed why on a number of occasions in the group stages. Indeed, he chipped in with six key passes, while his defensive work drew approving glances as he made six tackles and seven interceptions across his three appearances. 

3. Hirving Lozano (Mexico) - 7.57 Rating 

One of the most sought after young attackers on the continent did everything to prove why his list of admirers is so long. Hirving Lozano impressed in his debut season in the Eredivisie and followed that up with three strong showings in Group F as he scored the winner against Germany and provided the key assist for Chicharito against South Korea. Returns of five key passes and 10 successful dribbles saw the 22-year-old gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.57 as Mexico progressed to the last-16. 

2. Cho Hyun-Woo (South Korea) - 7.60 Rating 

Little was expected from South Korea at the World Cup, but goalkeeper Cho Hyun-Woo won the heart of football fans. He churned out a man of the match display in the 2-0 win over Germany, making six saves in the victory, while, at the time out writing, only Guillermo Ochoa (17) has made more saves than Cho (12) at the World Cup. An additional six successful cross claims, more than any other goalkeeper so far, helped the 26-year-old gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.60. 

1. Andreas Granqvist (Sweden) 7.79 Rating 

Pipping Cho to top spot in Group F is centre-back Andreas Granqvist, with the Sweden captain playing a key role for his nation as they progressed to the last-16 as group winners. Granqvist bagged the vital penalty that set Sweden on their way to top spot against South Korea, and added a second against Mexico on Wednesday. Four tackles, four interceptions and 17 clearances helped the 33-year-old earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.79 as Sweden exceeded expectations to top Group F.