55th Match FIFA World Cup 2018 Knockout Phase
55th Match FIFA World Cup
2018
Knockout Phase
SWEDEN Beat the SWITZERLAND
1-0 in World Cup 2018
v Forsberg's
deflected strike earns Sweden victory
v Sweden reach
last eight for first time since USA 1994
v They will face
Colombia or England in next round
Sweden booked their place in the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals
for the first time in almost a quarter of a century after Emil Forsberg forced
a slender 1-0 win over Switzerland in Saint Petersburg.
A cagey encounter from the outset, Sweden fell back on their
tried and tested formula: sit deep, defend solidly and strike on the
counter-attack. As such, Switzerland were the more active influence in the game
when it came to possession, but the reactive approach from Janne Andersson's
side proved the more fertile. Chances were limited, but the better of them fell
at Swedish feet.
In something of a war of attrition, as time progressed glimpses
of a potential pivotal moment began to shine through, with only poor finishing
and good fortune snuffing them out. However, it was fortune that eventually
brought about the winner.
Forsberg
was given far too much space at the edge of the box and - having failed to live
up to his pre-tournament billing as Sweden's star attraction - saw his effort
deflect wildly off Manuel Akanji into the top corner, sending them into the
last eigh.
Team reporter analysis
Alexandra Jonson with Sweden [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
The dream continues for Sweden. It wasn’t the most confident of wins but they got the job done as Forsberg quietened his recent critics. Gustav Svensson did an impressive job replacing one of the team’s key players in the suspended Sebastian Larsson, but a big blow for the Swedes was seeing one of their giants in defence, Mikael Lustig, leaving the pitch injured. But, all in all, being in a quarter-final is an achievement the team can be very proud of.
Alexandra Jonson with Sweden [Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
The dream continues for Sweden. It wasn’t the most confident of wins but they got the job done as Forsberg quietened his recent critics. Gustav Svensson did an impressive job replacing one of the team’s key players in the suspended Sebastian Larsson, but a big blow for the Swedes was seeing one of their giants in defence, Mikael Lustig, leaving the pitch injured. But, all in all, being in a quarter-final is an achievement the team can be very proud of.
Alan Schweingruber with
Switzerland
[Follow: Twitter | Facebook]
Switzerland were not worse today than they have been, but they needed to take the game to Sweden. Again and again they found themselves under pressure from counter-attacks. Above all, they never got Forsberg under control - and that proved pivotal. Switzerland has failed to make history against a beatable opponent, with their last memories of a quarter-final remaining from 1954.
Switzerland were not worse today than they have been, but they needed to take the game to Sweden. Again and again they found themselves under pressure from counter-attacks. Above all, they never got Forsberg under control - and that proved pivotal. Switzerland has failed to make history against a beatable opponent, with their last memories of a quarter-final remaining from 1954.
Budweiser Man of the Match
After drawing criticism back home, having fallen short of his high standards so far in Russia, Emil Forsberg proved his ability to decide big games as his strike was ultimately the difference.
After drawing criticism back home, having fallen short of his high standards so far in Russia, Emil Forsberg proved his ability to decide big games as his strike was ultimately the difference.
The stat
40,000,000 - While the attendance of 64,042 didn't break any records on its own, it did lead to a huge World Cup milestone, as it brought the official attendance at all 21 tournaments since 1930 to an incredible 40 million spectators.
What’s
next40,000,000 - While the attendance of 64,042 didn't break any records on its own, it did lead to a huge World Cup milestone, as it brought the official attendance at all 21 tournaments since 1930 to an incredible 40 million spectators.
Sweden v England or Colombia - Quarter-final, 7 July, Samara
Post a Comment