Match Review (RO16): Sweden v. Switzerland

Sweden v Switzerland
Score: 1-0
Goal: Forsberg 66'
Possession: 36-64
Shots: 12-18
Man of the match: Emil Forsberg (1G)

In another perfectly executed gameplan, Sweden stunned Switzerland 1-0 in St. Petersburg. The match started off with Sweden very much on the front foot. Sweden's high press frustrated the Swiss who continued to try to play out of the back but failed to do so. In the 8' minute, two chances were created due to a mistake passing the ball out of the back. The ball was booted up by keeper Jan Sommer and was immediately intercepted and played forward to Patrick Berg. Berg who looked to have a clean looked at goal took on the shot, but a miraculous block was made and the block cleared the ball out. The ball though wasn't clear of danger as it fell to Ekdal on the Volley whose shot just went over. Sweden continued to harras Switzerland and created another wonderful chance. The ball fell to winger Viktor Claesson who chested the ball down to Berg who hit a beautiful half-volleyed effort towards goal. But Sommer dived to his right and somehow kept it out. Although Sweden were dominating the majority of the clear-cut chances. The Swiss were still in the match creating many half chances, unfortunately, none of them were coming to fruition. The second half started, and Sweden continued to frustrate and dominate the Swiss. They finally found their opening in the 66' minute when star man Emil Forsberg cut inside on his right foot just outside the box. His shot was deflected by young center back Akanji and into the top corner to give the Swedes a 1-0 advantage. Switzerland pushed forward but created only one true chance with all their possession. The Swiss won a corner and Shaqiri was on it. He put in an excellent and substitute Breel Donald Embolo rose up to meet it. He headed the ball straight into the ground, but his header was cleared off the line and away from the Swedes net. Sweden sealed it off forcing a red card out of Michael Lang on the counter-attack and sealed their progression to the quarter finals to face England.