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Sweden win scrappy Swiss tie to reach quarterfinals
AFP
Last Updated IST
Sweden's midfielder Emil Forsberg (2nd L) celebrates scoring during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Sweden and Switzerland at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg. AFP PHOTO
Sweden's midfielder Emil Forsberg (2nd L) celebrates scoring during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Sweden and Switzerland at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg. AFP PHOTO

Sweden barged their way into the World Cup quarter-finals when Emil Forsberg's heavily deflected shot gave them a 1-0 win over Switzerland in a scrappy last-16 contest on Tuesday.

Forsberg was allowed time to tee up his shot on the edge of the penalty area and, although goalkeeper Yann Sommer appeared to have it covered, Swiss defender Manuel Akanji stuck out a foot and deflected it into the corner of the net.

Sweden, who will face either England or Colombia in the last eight, created more chances than their more refined but disappointing opponents and could have won more easily but for some wayward finishing.

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Albin Ekdal should have put the Swedes ahead before halftime when Mikael Lustig's cross found him unmarked at the far post, but he contrived to fire high and wide for a glaring miss.

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(Published 03 July 2018, 20:27 IST)