Fifa World Cup Sweden vs Switzerland highlights: Forsberg the difference

Sweden advance to the last eight where they will face the winner of England vs Colombia after securing a narrow win with the help of a Forsberg goal.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Sweden advance to the quarter-final of the Fifa World Cup 2018 after slugging out a narrow 1-0 win over Switzerland today at the St. Petersburg stadium. Emil Forsberg, who has been brilliant in this tournament, scored the solitary goal of the match albeit with the help of a deflection off Swiss defender Manuel Akanji.

Man of the match Emil Forsberg scored the solitary goal of the match between Sweden and Switzerland, albeit with a bit of luck. Sweden's no.10 received the ball at the edge of the penalty area in the 66th minute and took his shot which looked like it would find the Swedish keeper. But Swiss defender Manuel Akanji stuck his foot out, helping the ball inside the ball and beyond the reach of Sommer.

Switzerland have missed out on the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954 and the Swiss must be disappointed to go out to a side they would have felt they had the beating of. Yann Sommer must feel especially upset who made a few good saves but was outdone by a shot which was deflected off one of the defenders of his team.

Forsberg's second-half strike, which deflected off the unfortunate Manuel Akanji, means Sweden are through to the World Cup last eight for the first time since 1994 in the United States. Their route to the quarters has not been easy and, what they have lost in the individual brilliance of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they appear to have gained in grit, determination and collective spirit. Their next opponents would be foolish to take them lightly.

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