Widmer and Switzerland can keep dreaming

World Cup exit for five Mainz 05 players

Silvan Widmer and Switzerland had reason to celebrate after the match against Algeria (Photo: IMAGO/Steinsiek.ch).

The World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico has reached the knockout stage. The final round-of-32 matches take place today and on Saturday. Silvan Widmer is now the only Mainz 05 player who will be involved in the round of 16. The Mainz 05 captain booked his place in the last 16 with the Swiss national team early on Friday morning after a 2-0 win over Algeria. Widmer came on a few minutes before the final whistle.

Disappointments for the other Mainz professionals

It was a disappointing outcome for the two Austrians, Phillipp Mwene and Stefan Posch. Mwene was unable to feature in the match against Spain due to a muscle injury, as Austria fell to a 3-0 defeat. Posch played 85 minutes.

The World Cup also ended earlier than planned for Nadiem Amiri and Germany. In the round of 32 against Paraguay, the Germans, with Amiri coming on in the second half of extra time, were knocked out after a penalty shootout.

Kaishu Sano and the Japan national team had Brazil on the brink of extra time, but deep into stoppage time Gabriel Martinelli fired the Seleção into the round of 16. Sano had given his side the lead in spectacular fashion with his first goal for the national team.

Jae-sung Lee and South Korea failed to progress beyond the group stage.

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