Switzerland surge into last 16

Switzerland will meet Ukraine in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup as a goal in each half from Philippe Senderos and Alexander Frei confirmed first place in Group G and ended the hopes of 2002 semi-finalists Korea Republic at the AWD-Arena in Hannover.

Thumping header
Both teams pressed forward from the outset with Frei going close for Switzerland before Park Ji-Sung threatened for Korea, whose defender Choi Jin-Cheul then made a crucial tackle to prevent Tranquillo Barnetta breaking clear. The Swiss did strike first in the 23rd minute, however, Hakan Yakin floating in a perfect free-kick from the right-hand side which Senderos met with an unstoppable header. Yakin's set-pieces caused Korea all manner of problems, with Lee Woon-Jae called upon to palm another free-kick clear although at the other end Pascal Zuberbühler had to turn Lee Chun-Soo's shot around the post.

Frei on target
Once more, however, another set-piece almost doubled Switzerland's advantage seconds before half-time, Yakin's corner from the left picking out Frei in space only for the striker to nod wide. Frei came close to a second goal in the 64th minute, outpacing the Korean defence and watching an angled effort strike the woodwork, before the striker did secure victory with 13 minutes remaining as Xavier Margairaz's square pass broke kindly for him to slide in from a narrow angle. Kim Jin-Kyu might have scored a late consolation with a shot that struck the top of the crossbar but the Swiss held firm to set up a meeting with the Ukrainians in Cologne on Monday.