Swedes edge Swiss to reach World Cup quarters
Sweden’s Emil Forsberg, left, celebrates the opening side’s goal during the round of 16 match between Switzerland and Sweden at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
MOSCOW – Sweden has advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1994 with a 1-0 win over Switzerland.
The Swedes took the lead in the 66th minute at St. Petersburg when Emil Forsberg’s right-foot shot deflected off defender Manuel Akanji and past the wrong-footed Yann Sommer.
Forsberg also cleared a corner off his own line to preserve Sweden’s lead in the 80th minute.
Referee Damir Skomina awarded Sweden a penalty in stoppage time for a foul by Michael Lang on Martin Olsson but overturned his own decision after a review showed Lang’s push was just outside the area. Lang was sent off for the challenge.
Sweden will play the winner of Tuesday’s later match between England and Colombia at Spartak Stadium in Moscow.
No. 6-ranked Switzerland had more of the possession but created few clear-cut chances against the well-drilled Sweden defense.
