World Cup 2018: Sweden beat South Korea 1-0

By converting a second half penalty, Sweden kicked off their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over South Korea at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Monday.

The Europeans, who defeated Italy in play-off to qualify, marked their first appearance in the mundial for 12 years with a win.

After playing goalless for 65 minutes, South Korea’s Kim Min-woo fouled Viktor Claesson in the box and a penalty was awarded by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Andreas Granqvist then sent goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo the wrong way to put the Swedes ahead.

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Sweden looked the better team throughout the encounter and created better chances, while South Korea turned up in search of an equaliser in the last minutes.

Match winner Granqvist became the first Swede to score a penalty at the World Cup since Henrik Larsson in 2002 against Nigeria.

The win is also their first win in their opening game of a World Cup since 1958.

The group’s other game between Germany and Mexico also ended 1-0 in favour of Mexico.

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