Sweden edge Switzerland to reach first W’Cup Q’final in 24yrs

Sweden sealed their place in the quarterfinal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after seeing off Switzerland 1-0 in their round of 16 clash at St Petersburg on Tuesday.

After an uneventful first half, Emil Forsberg fired a shot that was deflected off Manuel Akanji into the net in the 66th-minute to secure the win for the Swedes and earn a slot in the last 8 for the first time since 1994.

Both sides were guilty of squandering good chances in the two halves. But the goal made the difference for the Swede side who are yet to taste defeat since the start of the Russia showpiece.

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Sweden had the opportunity to double their lead in the final minutes as a penalty was awarded after Michael Lang got sent off for barging over Martin Olsson in the area.

But the call was reversed after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) showed the handling happened right outside the box, hence a freekick was awarded instead.

Sweden did not convert the kick,but scaled through and will play either England or Colombia in the quarter-finals.

The England-Colombia match holds later on Tuesday.

 

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