bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Sweden reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years after Emil Forsberg’s deflected shot earned a scrappy 1-0 win over Switzerland on Tuesday.
This was far from a classic at the Saint Petersburg Stadium and if Colombia or England’s players were watching on from Moscow, they could be forgiven for feeling bullish about their prospects in the last eight.
Switzerland’s Michael Lang was sent off in injury-time for a last-ditch push on Martin Olsson and referee Damir Skomina downgraded his penalty to a free-kick on the edge of the area. But the game was already up. 
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.
Fifa World Cup live blog – day 19: England v Colombia for a quarter-final against Sweden
Their next opponents would be foolish to take them lightly.
The one blemish on the victory was a yellow card for defender Mikael Lustig, who will now be suspended for the quarter-final in Samara on Saturday. 
Both sides had been hampered by suspensions here too, with Switzerland more badly affected. They were without both Fabian Schaer and captain Stephan Lichtsteiner at the back, prompting Johan Djourou and Lang to come in.
For Sweden, Gustav Svensson replaced Sebastian Larsson in midfield.
Belgium fan club drinks in the World Cup emotion like its famous craft beer at Hong Kong brewpub
After back-to-back penalty shoot-outs, Brazil versus Mexico and Belgium’s pulsating comeback against Japan, there was always a danger this last-16 tie would struggle to deliver, even on low expectations.
It was a contest that lacked quality, particularly in the final third, where both teams were often painfully imprecise.
Victor Lindelof slipped on the ball in the first 10 seconds and that set the tone for the first half, which was largely a collection of mis-hit passes, heavy touches and skewed shots.
There were chances and Sweden had most of them. Marcus Berg blasted over when set free early on and then saw his finish blocked following a poor clearance by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
China’s ‘psychic’ ginger cat dies after World Cup winning streak
After a slow start, and Lustig’s foul on Josip Drmic, Switzerland grew in confidence and should have scored when Blerim Dzemaili snatched at Steven Zuber’s pullback.
At the other end, Albin Ekdal was even closer, and completely free, when he sidefooted Lustig’s cross over. 
Rather than let loose, both teams tightened after the interval, and Forsberg’s goal came out of the blue. With space on the edge of the box, his dummy did for Granit Xhaka before the shot was helped in by the outstretched foot of Akanji.
Switzerland twice went close to grabbing an equaliser, as Djourou’s header dribbled agonisingly across the goal line and substitute Haris Seferovic drew a late save from close range.
Brazil’s World Cup star Paulinho writes career ‘was in the grave’ but not at Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande
Olsson was pushed in the back by Lang with only Sommer to beat in injury-time, with Skomina initially awarding a penalty but changing his decision to a free-kick after he consulted the replay. Lang’s red card stood and Sweden held on.






China marks 20 years since reaching its only Fifa World Cup with long wait for return set to go on

On this day: China qualified for its only Fifa World Cup

Donald Trump the soccer dad? US president has supported son Barron’s fledgling football career, talking him up to Fifa and introducing him to Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney

Help Hong Kong secure Tokyo Olympics broadcasting rights, and keep the public informed

Fifa World Cup 2018

Fifa World Cup: Sweden book place in quarter-finals after Emil Forsberg goal edges them past 10-man Switzerland

Sweden's players celebrate their victory over Switzerland. Photo: AFP

Emil Forsberg of Sweden scores the opener against Switzerland during the second half of a World Cup round-of-16 match at Saint Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, on July 3, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Switzerland's defender Manuel Akanji reacts after the team lost the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Sweden and Switzerland at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS

Sweden's Martin Olsson, center, is fouled by Switzerland's Michael Langduring, right, 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/Dmitri Lovetsky)

(180703) -- SAINT PETERSBURG, July 3, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Players of Sweden celebrate victory after the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Switzerland and Sweden in Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 3, 2018. Sweden won 1-0 and advanced to the quarter-final. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Sport

Football

Deflected winner is enough to decide a drab game in Saint Petersburg as England or Colombia await in the next round


Sweden

Fifa World Cup: Sweden book place in quarter-finals after Emil Forsberg goal edges them past 10-man Switzerland

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Deflected winner is enough to decide a drab game in Saint Petersburg as England or Colombia await in the next round

Deflected winner is enough to decide a drab game in Saint Petersburg as England or Colombia await in the next round