Sweden down Switzerland in drab affair to make last eight
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Updated 03/07/2018 at 22:49 GMT
World Cup last-16, Saint Petersburg Stadium – Sweden 1 (Forsberg 66') Switzerland
Sweden's players celebrate their victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Sweden and Switzerland at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 3, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
A deflected Emil Forsberg strike was enough for Sweden to beat Switzerland 1-0 and secure their place in the quarter finals of the 2018 World Cup.
In a game low on quality, particularly in the final third, it was fitting that an anaemic, plodding effort from Forsberg was sent past Yann Sommer via the out-stretched leg of Swiss defender Manuel Akanji with 66 minutes gone.
Switzerland, the fourth-ranked team in the world, pinned Janne Andersson’s Sweden back as they chased a leveller, but Haris Seferovic saw their only chance of note, a header from just outside the six-yard box, saved by Robin Olsen.
The Swiss were reduced to 10 men when Michael Lang took down Martin Olsson just outside the box with Swansea City man bearing down on goal to compound their misery. Sweden now await the winner of Colombia or England, with their quarter final to be played on Saturday.
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Viktor Claesson of Sweden is challenged by Steven Zuber of Switzerland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Sweden and Switzerland at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 3, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
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TALKING POINT - Sweden could go even further at this World Cup
They lack star quality, but this is a well-drilled, well-organised Swedish team. Much of the pre-tournament talk was over whether they would miss Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who retired from international duty at the end of the 2016 European Championships, but they haven't missed the former Inter Milan and Manchester United striker. Instead, it’s their strength as a unit that has got them this far and on this basis, they could go even further at this World Cup.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Emil Forsberg (Sweden)
He scored what turned out to be the match-winner, but Forsberg was crucial to the way Sweden played against a Switzerland side who dominated the majority of the possession. The RB Leipzig man probably should have done better with some of his opportunities, but in the end he scored the goal that mattered, even if he was made to be grateful for a fortunate deflection. This could be a breakout tournament for Forsberg, who has already been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.
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Sweden's midfielder Emil Forsberg (C) celebrates scoring during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Sweden and Switzerland at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 3, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Sweden - Olsen 6, Lustig 6, Lindelof 7, Granqvist 8, Augustinsson 7, Ekdal 6, Forsberg 8, Svensson 6, Claesson 5, Berg 7, Toivonen 6. Subs - Krafth 5, Thelin, Olsson 5.
Switzerland - Sommer 7, Lang 5, Akanji 6, Djourou 5, Rodriguez 7, Behrami 6, Xhaka 6, Shaqiri 7, Dzemaili 6, Zuber 5, Drmic 5. Subs - Embolo 7, Seferovic 5.
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Swiss fan after the game
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KEY MOMENTS
9’ BERG CHANCE! The Swedish striker should have done so much better with that opportunity. He was played in behind, but Berg sliced his effort well wide of the target in the end.
10’ ANOTHER SWEDEN CHANCE! Switzerland almost played themselves into trouble there. The goal kick was played straight to a Sweden player, but Akanji makes the block.
28’ WHAT A SAVE! Sommer was at full stretch to make that save. Berg sent the shot towards the Swiss goal, but the goalkeeper was alert and made the diving stop to deny him.
37’ WHAT A CHANCE! That should have been an opening goal for Switzerland. One-touch passing presents Dzemaili with a chance just inside the box, but he fires just over the bar.
41’ SITTER MISSED! Ekdal was completely free at the back post. The cross was perfect for him, but rather than putting his head on it he sent a side-foot volley well over the crossbar.
65’ GOAL! Sweden 1-0 Switzerland: Sweden have taken the lead! The space opened up for Forsberg just inside the penalty area and his shot picked up a deflection from Akanji to flash past Sommer in the goal. Sweden get a break and they have the lead!
80’ BLOCKED ON THE LINE! Close to an equaliser for Switzerland. Embolo bundles a header towards goal, but Forsberg was on hand to block and then Granqvist clears the danger!
93’ PENALTY KICK TO SWEDEN! Olsson was clean through on the break, it was the last chance of the match and he's brought down inside the area.
93’ SENT OFF! It was Lang who brought down Olsson as he raced through on goal and he has been shown a red card. This match is over for Switzerland, although there's now a VAR review.
94’ DECISION REVERSED! The free-kick has been awarded rather than the penalty kick. Good use of VAR, that. Replays showed that the foul took place outside of the box.
KEY STATS
- Emil Forsberg scored his first goal at this World Cup with his 14th shot of the tournament.
- Sweden have won back-to-back World Cup games outside of their own country for the first time ever.
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