Sweden 1-0 Switzerland World Cup 2018, last 16: match report
A second half Emil Forsberg strike helped Sweden into the quarter-final of the World Cup as Switzerland tried but couldn't level matters in Saint Petersburg.
Sweden 1-0 Switzerland: match report
Sweden sealed their passage to the quarter-final of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Switzerland on Tuesday afternoon in Saint Petersburg.
Emil Forsberg, who caused problems for Switzerland throughout, landed the breakthrough after 66 minutes when his shot from outside the box took a slight deflection and looped passed Yann Sommer.
They almost had a penalty as time expired when Lang pushed Olsson in the back but the referee went to VAR and decided it was outside the area. Lang remained sent off but it was a free instead. Not that it mattered as the had drifted into the sixth minute of the three minutes of added time.
They did see Michael Lustig booked early on and will have to replace the right-back for the quarter-final against either England or Colombia.
Sweden vs Switzerland live online | World Cup 2018, last 16: latest news
Sweden vs Switzerland live | World Cup 2018, last 16: match preview
The St Petersburg World Cup Stadium hosts the early evening all European clash as surprise Group F winners Sweden face Switzerland, who finished second in Group G. Having deprived Italy of a place at the Russia 2018 World Cup in the play-offs, wins over Mexico and South Korea coupled with a last minute defeat to Germany was enough for Janne Anderson’s to claim top spot in their group.
Sweden
Hull City’s Sebastian Larsson will be absent for the Swedish side through suspension and three solid display’s in Russia make the Blågult favourites to go through to the quarter final stage where they face the winner of the later game between England and Colombia. Tonight is Sweden’s 50th game at a World Cup with an overall balance of 18 wins, 13 draws and 18 defeats.
Switzerland
Ahead of the Round of 16 clash Swiss boss Vladimir Petokovic spoke about his sides prospects in yesterday’s pre-game press conference: “We’ve been very fortunate so far, that is true, but what we’ve seen throughout the tournament is that in spells we have been playing very well. We’ve seen that we have been dangerous so far in the second half of the game.”
“This time round we want to keep up that pressure from the start and I think that is going to happen. We have to be ready to play from the get-go in such a way to have the initiative on our side. We want our good quality to control the game.”
Both Lichsteiner and Deportivo’s Schar are missing for the Swiss side today through suspension.