JOIN USSweden substitute Jimmy Durmaz was subjected to a storm of racial hatred and threats on social media after giving away the free-kick that led to Toni Kroos' late winner for Germany in their Group F World Cup clash on Saturday.
The stream of abuse on the 29-year-old's Instagram account began almost as soon as the ball hit the back of the net and his team-mates jumped to his defence with striker and fellow substitute John Guidetti praising his colleague.
"He ran and fought the whole game, it's unlucky -- it's completely idiotic to subject him to hate for that," Guidetti told reporters.
Durmaz, who was born in Sweden to Assyrian parents who had emigrated from Turkey, played down the abuse.
"It's nothing I'm bothered about," Durmaz said. "I'm here proud and representing my country."
The Swedish tactic of closing down the centre of defence and allowing the Germans space on the wings looked like paying off until Kroos's late goal and they now need to recover and beat Mexico to be sure of advancing to the second round.
"In the dressing room we said we have everything in our own hands," Jansson said. "Obviously we're angry and sad but we need to reload and do it in the next game."