RB Leipzig star, Emil Forsberg, scored the only goal as Sweden continued their march at the 2018 World Cup after a hard-earned 1-0 victory during their round of 16 tie at St. Petersburg stadium on Tuesday.
It was a game of few chances, and it took a wicked deflection off Manuel Akanji to help Sweden advance at the expense of 10-man Switzerland, who had Mikael Lustig sent off late in the game.
A very dull opening half ended with nothing to separate both teams, though Sweden nearly took the lead just before the break, when Albin Ekdal missed from eight yards after a Mikael Lustig’s cross found him unmarked at the far post.
However, on the 66th minute, Forsberg was accorded so much time and space for the chance which led to opener and eventual winning goal by Janne Andersson’s men.
The wide forward found space, just outside the Swiss box, before taking a shot which deflects off youngster, Akanji and into the top right corner of the net.
Switzerland piled on the pressure thereafter, but the Swedish defense handled all that was thrown at them, as they defended resolutely.
There was still time for more drama, as Sweden broke at the death, second half substitute, Martin Olsson was put through on goal only to be pushed over by Michael Lang, with the referee wasting no time to point to the spot, and sending Lang off.
The decision would be changed by the VAR, which awarded a free kick instead with Yann Sommer producing a superb punch to direct resultant kick by Ola Toivonen away as Sweden held on for the win.
The victory means Sweden are through to the quarter final for the first time since 1994 when they finished third.
Up next for the Swedes will be a clash against either England or Colombia, who face each other later today, while for Switzerland, their 2018 journey comes to an end.
